Hyderabad: The commencement of the holy Lent season was marked with special prayers at various churches here on Ash Wednesday, where in ash is applied on the foreheads of people.
“The Ash signifies that we are nothing but just ash, a sign of humility, and that we are fragile and return to dust,” according to Rev Monsignor Swarna Bernard, the Vicar-General of the Archd-iocese of Hyder-abad.
The season of Lent is marked by special prayers at homes and special church services during weekdays.
“We will be preparing ourselves to be more humble. The period from Ash Wednesday till Easter is of special significance to Christians”, said Rev A. Steeven, who heads the Hyderabad Regional Conference of Methodist Council of India. Lent involves turning away from sins and a season where Christians rededicate themselves to follow the path shown by Jesus Christ and share his love with the world. It is also a period to retrospect, soul-searching and repentance with many also observing fast during the season.
“It is how you humble yourself and move towards God,” said Binobhini Paul, president, Women’s Society for Christian Service, Secunderabad
It also marks a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that ends approximately six weeks later on Holy Thursday before Easter Sunday.
