By Ovie Agogba
Catholic faithful in their large number gathered at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Asaba , Delta State to observe the Ash Wednesday.
It’s an observance which marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season ,and it’s commonly characterized by the distribution of ashes and with fasting.
Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God .
In a homily, the Associate Parish Priest of Saint John Bosco Catholic Church, Asaba, the Reverend Father Anthony Okorie urged the congregation to use the Lenten period to rededicate themselves to God, and be spiritual in their fast, prayers and alms giving to make the exercise acceptable to God.
Reverend Father Okorie who described receiving of ash on the forehead by Catholics as a pointer to the religious belief that human beings are dust, and unto dust shall they return, called for humility on the part of all Nigerians.
He said the Lenten season demands total repentance, forgiveness and mercy, and called on christians to always pray to God, and forgive one another without keeping grudges.
The Associate Parish Priest admonished those in political leadership positions to be deeply concerned about the welfare of their followers,by ensuring fairness and justice in allocation of the nation’s resource.
Some Catholic faithful expressed gratitude to God for being alive to observe the Ash Wednesday which is done once every year, and gave an assurance of their preparedness to use the Lenten period to improve their spiritual lives.
Highpoint of the mass was the placing of ash on the forehead of the Catholic faithful by the officiating reverend father.
