Lenten Season
Lenten Season
As we begin our Lenten season this Ash Wednesday- let us reflect on what is the significance of Ash Wednesday in our Catholic Church…
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.
Why we receive the ashes
Following the example of the Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told
"Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."
Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance.
On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.
The Ashes
The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.
Dear Brothers and Sisters'
Lent is not something we are doing to God, but a time to reflect what He has done to us,
A time to reflect His most precious Love,
A time to tell Him I am coming home if we find ourselves lost,
A time to remember our brothers and sisters in need,
A time of grace, Heavens are opened 24 hrs a day during this blessed season,
So let’s response to His divine call.
Have a blessed Lent !!!
Deacon Val
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