Ash Wednesday was observed in all local churches on March 5.
The day marks the start of the Lenten season, 40 days of prayer and reflection, fasting and penance and of doing works of charity. A time when Christians recall the events that led to the condemnation, suffering and death on the cross of Jesus.
In local churches, priests smeared ash on the foreheads of people who attended the Holy Mass, a symbolic act to remind people that they ‘ come from dust and will return to dust’ and that the time for repentance is now.
At the St Thomas Cathedral in San Thome, archbishop Rev. George Antonysamy led the Ash Wednesday services, assisted by a priests of the cathedral.
