Today will be the official start of the Lenten Season for Catholic Christians. I don’t know if other religion practice this or they have an alternative for this. Anyway, after work we went to Edsa Shrine to hear mass and for the imposition of the cross.
Ash Wednesday is the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are from the burned palms that was used from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
The Lenten Season is 40 days of sacrifice and repentance. After that is the celebration like that of Christmas since it’s the Lord’s resurrection from the dead.
Last year, I was able to have my Lenten retreat in Caleruega all by myself. I stayed there for 3 days/2 nights. My friends was surprised hearing that I went there alone. It was a fulfilling experience for me. I got to know Fr. Stephen and Fr. Ziggy, who I learned after that they were Fr. Deng’s students. I felt at peace with myself after I cried my heart out in everything I did wrong in the past. It’s a great feeling praying while seeing God’s wonders. Hopefully, I can manage to attend even a Lenten recollection this year. The other year, I was in Japan and even have an entry for that: Lenten Recollection 2008
Also, my last year’s Lenten sacrifice is not to eat desserts especially chocolates and ice cream. I proudly did that for 40 days! 🙂
As for my sacrifice this year, I will do my best to do the following:
1. No eating of chips/junk foods
2. No red meat (I’m still thinking if I’ll include chicken)
3. No expensive dates/dining out for the Lenten season :p
I guess that’s enough. I don’t want to commit on something I can’t do. I hope I can be true to my word.
*Updates*
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