ASH WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
BY EUGENE OMILO
Catholic faithful in Mombasa yesterday marked Ash Wednesday to usher
the beginning of Lent season.
The faithful gathered at the Holy Ghost cathedral at various times to
attend a special mass in honour of the canonical ceremony which
prepares them for fasting by taking lesser meals in order to help the
needy in the society.
In his sermon, Fr. Paul Wangai of the Catholic Secretariat asked
leaders to heed the call of the gospel and focus on giving service to
humanity above their selfish interests.
He said leaders have always served their own interests by engaging in
corruption at the expense of the suffering multitude of poor people
who are the tax payers and look upon them for their well being.
“The main message during this period is for Christians to be generous
to those amongst them who have nothing. Everyone should sacrifice the
little they have and share with those who are not fortunate enough,”
said Fr. Wangai.
Another priest attached at the Cathedral, Fr. Joseph Bambanya
explained that during the lent period, Catholics are prohibited from
eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays until the 40 days of fasting
are over.
He said they will be expected to reduce the amount of food they
consume then give the proceeds to the poor.
Alcohol and other luxury activities are also prohibited and in their
stead a strong culture of prayer is inculcated among the faithful.
He said the tradition has scriptural foundations in the Old Testament
where Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach repentance.
The people there applied ash on their bodies and put on sack clothes
as a way of showing remorse for their ill actions.
Fr. Wangai said the peak of the lent period will be the Easter
celebrations when Jesus Christ finally resurrected from the dead after
his passion and death.
ENDS…
FEBRUARY 17, 2010
BY EUGENE OMILO
Catholic faithful in Mombasa yesterday marked Ash Wednesday to usher
the beginning of Lent season.
The faithful gathered at the Holy Ghost cathedral at various times to
attend a special mass in honour of the canonical ceremony which
prepares them for fasting by taking lesser meals in order to help the
needy in the society.
In his sermon, Fr. Paul Wangai of the Catholic Secretariat asked
leaders to heed the call of the gospel and focus on giving service to
humanity above their selfish interests.
He said leaders have always served their own interests by engaging in
corruption at the expense of the suffering multitude of poor people
who are the tax payers and look upon them for their well being.
“The main message during this period is for Christians to be generous
to those amongst them who have nothing. Everyone should sacrifice the
little they have and share with those who are not fortunate enough,”
said Fr. Wangai.
Another priest attached at the Cathedral, Fr. Joseph Bambanya
explained that during the lent period, Catholics are prohibited from
eating meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays until the 40 days of fasting
are over.
He said they will be expected to reduce the amount of food they
consume then give the proceeds to the poor.
Alcohol and other luxury activities are also prohibited and in their
stead a strong culture of prayer is inculcated among the faithful.
He said the tradition has scriptural foundations in the Old Testament
where Jonah was sent to Nineveh to preach repentance.
The people there applied ash on their bodies and put on sack clothes
as a way of showing remorse for their ill actions.
Fr. Wangai said the peak of the lent period will be the Easter
celebrations when Jesus Christ finally resurrected from the dead after
his passion and death.
ENDS…
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