Ash Wednesday Mass Today

Catholics in the capital city area will be at the Sacred Heart Cathedral today to mark Ash Wednesday.

Mass will be celebrated at 7.30am, 9am (children's mass), 12 noon, 1.05pm and 5pm.

Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer, fasting, and repentance.

It derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants to either the words “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

The ashes may be prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. The Head of the Catholic Church in Fiji, Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, said Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent.

Known as the Lenten period, the 40 days of fasting and abstinence leads to Easter Sunday, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe was crucified on Calvary to save mankind from their sins.

The lenten period is also celebrated by other Christian denominations in the country.

“During Lent, people go through an intensive spiritual programme,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.

“The three main practices that we encourage for people during this time is to invest more time in prayer, charity work and helping those who are needy and fasting.

“It is the time of spiritual renewal. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.

The Archdiocese of Suva Lenten Appeal 2019 theme is “God Created Women and Children”.

“This year’s Lenten Appeal will help build a ‘Safe House’ for Women and Girls who need love and protection,” Archbishop Loy Chong said.

“Your donation will help the Archdiocese of Suva through the ‘Women at the Well Ministry’ protect and heal women, girls and children who are victims of sexual violence.”

Edited by Epineri Vula