As the sun shone over the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, members joined fellow worshippers today to observe Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season for Catholics, centred on the three pillars of Almsgiving, Prayer and Fasting.
45-year-old Michael Fong, a Business Analyst at ANZ Bank says that Ash Wednesday signifies the start of a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, and sacrifice leading up to Easter.
The ash placed on the forehead serves as a reminder of human mortality.
He says that everyone is made from dust, and to dust we shall return.
He says it is also a call to believers for spiritual renewal.
He explains that meat is not consumed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, as well as on all Fridays during Lent.
He highlights that these practices commemorate the sacrifices of Jesus and His time of fasting in the desert.
Fong, who has been Catholic since birth and comes from a strong Catholic family, says Lent has always been an important part of his faith journey.
While many people traditionally give up personal indulgences such as sugar, alcohol, or cigarettes during this period, he is considering a different approach this year.
He adds that Lent is not only about sacrifice but also about growing closer to God through intentional actions and spiritual discipline.
Fong also notes that participation in Lenten practices is not limited to Catholics.
Some of his non-Catholic friends choose to give up habits such as drinking or smoking during this time, while others believe self-improvement can begin at any time of the year.
As churches begin the Lenten journey, many believers see the season as a time for renewal, sacrifice, and deeper spiritual commitment leading up to Easter.
Meanwhile, 62-year-old Adi Leba Valecia says that over the years as a member of the church, she has seen the peace that comes from setting aside worldly temptations and putting God first.
She says that we are living in troubled times, and she has made a commitment for change because of her family.
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