As the country celebrates Ash Wednesday this year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos for a “quiet reflection” of the event that ushers in the Lenten season.
“We pray for our nation’s quiet reflection this Ash Wednesday,” the President said yesterday in a social media post.
“As we prepare for the season of Lent, may the love of Christ inspire us to endure and faithfully continue our service to others,” Mr. Marcos added.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day period of Lent. It is observed by the Catholic Church as a holy day of fasting and praying.
Its name comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting, using ashes from the palm fronds blessed by priests on Palm Sunday of the previous year.
Churches across the country this year allowed priests to put ashes on the foreheads of Catholics on Ash Wednesday, a tradition that was temporarily halted during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Catholics observe the liturgical event as a primer for the month-long reflection before the Holy Week, which starts on the Holy Wednesday (April 5 this year) and ends on Easter Sunday (April 9).
Filipinos observe the Holy Week with various activities such as “Senakulo” or the re-enactment of the Passion of Christ and “Pabasa” or book reading of the passion of Christ, which is common in provinces and rural areas.
In another Facebook post, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) hoped for a solemn celebration of Ash Wednesday.
The PCO said the occasion serves as a reminder for Catholic believers to pray and fast.
“As the Lenten season begins, this day is an opportune time to pray and fast as a way of acknowledging Jesus Christ’s sacrifice,” it said.