Catholic faithful around the globe including Nigeria ushered in the 40-day Lenten period on Ash Wednesday, a centuries-old ritual rooted in the biblical practice of repentance through the symbolic use of ashes.
The tradition of Ash Wednesday traces its origins to the 8th century when Catholics began marking the start of Lent by having ashes smeared on their foreheads as a public expression of repentance.
The ashes used signify grief and mortality, coming from the burning of palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
“The ashes are a reminder of our human frailty and our need for continual repentance and renewal,” said Rev. Father Godrick Ushaba of Our Lady Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ajah, Lagos. “As we begin this holy Lenten journey, I urge all Christians to turn away from sin and strive to become more worthy of God’s call.”
Alokega Kennedy, a parishioner, echoed Father Ushaba’s sentiments, “This day humbles us to recognize our mortal nature and our dependence on God’s mercy. It’s a powerful wake-up call to reprioritize our spiritual lives.”
Father Ushaba emphasized the Lenten period as a time of heightened prayer, fasting, and reflection. “During these forty days, we are called not just to focus inward on our own renewal, but to lift up our entire nation through our prayers and sacrifices – praying for wisdom for our government, a turnaround for our struggling economy, and an end to the scourge of insecurity.”
Catholic churches across Lagos saw throngs of the faithful attending Ash Wednesday Masses, kick-starting the six-week journey of spiritual preparation for Easter.
