Catholics start fasting period ahead of Easter

By Martin Mutua

Catholics today mark Ash Wednesday, commencing a 40-day fasting period that will culminate in the Easter celebrations.

During the period normally referred to as Lenten season, Catholics are expected to committee themselves in prayer, assist the needy and also desist from excesses until Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday is commemorated as the day Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead after being crucified on Good Friday.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of faithful as a sign of repentance.

Expressing sorrow

The palms that were distributed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday are usually burnt and the ash used during the occasion.

 Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning.

Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent’s way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults.

In Nairobi, the head of the Archdiocese, who is also the chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Cardinal John Njue (pictured), will lead the faithful in the Ash Wednesday mass at the Holy family Basilica at 6am today.

Catholic bishops countrywide will be expected to observe and follow the Lenten campaign that has been prepared by the Justice and Peace Commission headed by Kisumu Archbishop Zacheus Okoth. The theme for this year’s Lenten Campaign is “How can we be one?”

Archbishop Okoth launched the Lenten Campaign last Sunday in Marsabit Diocese with a procession through the town’s streets. Later, Okoth presided over mass to mark the official launch of the campaign.

The archbishop emphasised the need to promote unity among  young people if the country is to be one.