- Title: Filipinos take part in Ash Wednesday rites
- Date: 1st March 2017
- Summary: CATHOLIC DEVOTEES PRAYING CATHOLIC DEVOTEES REACHING OUT TO JESUS CHRIST STATUE MAN WIPING AND KISSING JESUS CHRIST STATUE CATHOLIC DEVOTEES WIPING JESUS CHRIST STATUE CATHOLIC DEVOTEES REACHING OUT TO JESUS CHRIST STATUE
- Embargoed: 15th March 2017 04:18
- Keywords: Philippines religion ash catholics church lent
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA003664NTC7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Filipino Catholics marked the beginning of Lent by observing Ash Wednesday on March 1.
Thousands of worshippers attended a mass service at the Baclaran Church in Manila, and queued to have their foreheads marked with a cross using ash, symbolising penance and the following of Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season that Catholics observe in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The season of Lent calls on Catholics to fast, pray and reflect.
"This is important because we need to commemorate and remember the death of Jesus Christ, who suffered for us," said Devotee Rosalinda Seridonio.
Seminarian John Anza, who marked worshippers' foreheads with an ash mixture made from palm leaves, said the beginning of a new Lenten season is a call for Christians to repent and renew their faith in God.
"The sole purpose of this is to remind us to repent and change our lives as Christians that hopefully this Lent will be filled with prayers, humility, and love for each other," he said.
After receiving ash crosses, thousands of devotees attended mass while some worshippers kissed and prayed at a life-sized altar of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Traditionally, the ash used to mark people's foreheads are from burnt palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. It is blessed with holy water, and scented by incense.
Roman Catholics comprise up to 85 percent of the Philippine population of 92 million, making it the biggest Catholic nation in Asia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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