KLANG: Christians attended Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday (Feb 18), marking a solemn day that signals the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and preparation for Easter, emphasising penitence.
Ash Wednesday masses were held at churches nationwide as the faithful went for the morning mass as early as 6.30am.
Catholic parishioners congregated at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Klang, where parish priest Reverend Fr. Gregory Chan used the ashes of burnt year-old blessed palm leaves to mark the forehead of the faithful with crosses signifying penance and mortality.
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day Lent season of atonement and abstinence, leading to Holy Thursday on April 2 and culminating with Easter on April 5.
Christians are obligated to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday on April 3 and to do acts of charity during the 40-days.
