The Catholic Church faithful across the world on Wednesday marked Ash Wednesday, ushering in the 40-day Lenten season ahead of Easter, the period commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Lenten season focuses on prayer, repentance, fasting, and almsgiving, inviting Christians to examine their lives and renew their relationship with God and fellow human beings.
At the Catholic Diocese of Murang’a (CDM)s Mumbi Catholic Church in Murang’a County, hundreds of faithful gathered in the early morning hours to celebrate Mass and have ashes applied on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
Presiding over the Mass, the Assistant Parish Priest Rev Fr Justine Mwaniki urged Christians to fully embrace the spiritual practices associated with the season.
“By placing ashes on our foreheads accompanied by the words ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel,’ we are reminded of our mortality, humility, and the need to return to God,” he said.
He encouraged the faithful to dedicate more time to prayer, reflection, repentance, and acts of charity.
“Spend more time in prayer and reflective meditation, and let your fasting be accompanied by works of mercy. Remember the poor, the sick, the vulnerable, and even those in prison as we seek to mend our relationship with God and with one another,” he added.
Fr Mwaniki further emphasized that repentance should be genuine and not merely external, noting that the season calls for heartfelt conversion.
Drawing from biblical teachings, he explained that the number forty symbolizes preparation and spiritual renewal, referencing events such as Jesus’ forty days of fasting in the wilderness, Moses’ time on Mount Sinai, and other scriptural moments of testing and purification
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this spiritual journey leading to Holy Week, when Christians commemorate Christ’s suffering and victory over death.
The ashes used during the celebration are obtained from palms blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolizing renewal and continuity in faith.
The lent season will end on April 2 leading up to Easter Sunday on April 5,2026.
By Florence Kinyua
