Repent and Believe in the Gospel

The season of Lent this year opens on March 5 with the blessing and imposition of ashes. “Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and abstinence in the Church. Fasting is required from ages 18-60, and abstinence is from age 14” (Cf. Ordo).

As ashes are imposed, the priest or minister says, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Both formula remind us of our nothingness yet being blessed and graced with the unconditional love of God.

This season lasts until Holy Thursday, April 17. “The annual Lenten Season is a fitting time to climb the holy mountain of Easter. The Lenten season has a double character, namely to prepare both catechumens and faithful to celebrate the paschal mystery. The catechumens, with the rite of election and scrutinies and by catechesis, are prepared for the celebration of the sacraments of Christian initiation; the faithful, ever more attentive to the word of God and prayer, prepare themselves by penance for the renewal of their baptismal promises” (Caeremoniale episcoporum, 249).

Let us not only start the season of Lent by going to Church on Ash Wednesday but also dispose ourselves to rise from our sinfulness and live new lives by prayer, fasting and almsgiving.