Ah, my people! No be joke o! Lent don land again, and e dey come with plenty sweet vibes for church matter. Ash Wednesday, the day wey dem dey mark our forehead with ashes, don show face to remind us say we need to humble ourselves before baba God.
As we dey gather for service, you go see say some people go get bold cross for their forehead, while others go just dey sprinkle ashes for top their head. Na wetin you fit see for America and Italy! E no be small variety wey dey, but all of dem dey point us to one thing: humility!
Benedictine Father Eusebius Martis, wey sabi gist well, don talk say both methods dey approved by the church. E no dey confuse, just dey show say na the heart wey matter pass. The ashes wey we dey take go four big message: ‘Remember say you be dust, and you go return to dust,’ and ‘Repent, believe for the Gospel.’ Na this one dey mark the start of our 40 days journey go Easter.
The tradition don richa plenty years, and e get plenty ways wey people dey celebrate am. If you dey Italy, men and women dey receive ashes for their head, no be for forehead like for America o! Ha! History sweet sha! Back in the 11th century, men dey collect ashes for head, while women dey collect for forehead. Na so dem dey carry tradition give us now.
Some places, like Milan, no dey even acknowledge Ash Wednesday at all! Dem dey start Lent on Sunday instead. Na wah! Different strokes for different folks inside church matter. But one thing wey no change na the focus wey we put for our relationship with God during Lent. Father Martis talk say the main gist na humility, which na wetin we suppose reflect on during this season.
As we dey observe Ash Wednesday, teachers and students don dey feel the holy vibe, because e dey draw us close to God through prayer and fasting. Trung Huynh-Duc, wey dey coordinate Catholic Life, don talk say last year, over 650 people come gather for this special day. Na big family event wey dey happen!
So, my people, as we dey prepare for Lent, make we no forget say e go require sacrifice. Whether you wan give up chocolate, social media, or your favorite movie, e no be play matter. Na time to bring our hearts close to God and do better for ourselves and our neighbors.
Join the Catholic Life crew for prayer and service as we begin this holy journey together. Ash Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026, go be the day to mark. We get four services lined up for you, so no miss am!
To round am up, remember say Lent no be just about sacrifice. Na chance to re-connect with God and redefine our purpose. Time to shut down all the distractions, put God for the center, and shine like the light wey we be! Amen!
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