Ash Wednesday will be observed by Christians on March 2 this year and local Catholic churches will hold Ash Wednesday services.
This day marks the beginning of the season of Lent – a time to reflect and do penance.
Ashes are symbolically smeared on the foreheads of people who attend the day’s Mass, as a reminder that man is dust and to dust he shall return.
Our Lady of Guidance Church in R. A. Puram is observing Ash Wednesday with two Masses – one in Thamizh at 6.15 a.m. and the other in English at 6.15 p.m. The celebrant for the Mass will be Fr. Joseph Victor JDH. He will also deliver a sermon after the Mass to prepare parishioners for the Lenten season.
There will be Holy Mass and Way of the Cross service every week on Thursday at 6.15 p.m. in English and on Friday at 6.15 p.m in Thamizh.
Fr Joseph Victor will conduct a short retreat at this church.
In other churches in the neighbourhood, similar special services / retreats and pilgrimages are to be held.
– Report by Juliana Sridhar
