04/03/2025
Mga ka-lingkod, today, we begin the Season of Lent with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. Many of us wonder, what is the significance of this liturgical feast? Worry no more, mga ka-lingkod! We got you covered!
Let us know more about the significance of this day in the Catholic Church: the Ash Wednesday as the start of the penitential season of Lent!
ASH WEDNESDAY
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the season of Lent begins with the celebration of Ash Wednesday. It is a day when many flock to their local parishes to receive ashes on their forehead. The earliest celebration of Ash Wednesday dates to the 8th century and may have come from an earlier tradition of penitents placing ashes on themselves in atonement for their sins.
ASHES ON FOREHEAD OR CROWN
The use of ashes is a survival from an ancient rite according to which converted sinners submitted themselves to canonical penance.The act of putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Ashes symbolizes a person's desire towards conversion and renewed Easter commitment.
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence for us, Catholics. Abstinence pertains to the avoidance of meat during Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent and should be done by the faithful who are 14 years old and above. On the other hand, fasting pertains to eating one full meal and two other meals that together are not equal to a full meal and must be done by the faithful who are 18-59 years old and only in two days, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Sources:
[1] National Catholic Register | http://bit.ly/2ZldUSr
[2] Aleteia | https://bit.ly/3rV6ba6
