By Grace Gilo
Catholics and Anglicans worldwide began the 40-day Lenten period on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, ahead of the Easter season, which culminates in marking the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday marks the onset of Lent, 40 days of prayer, fasting, and reflection observed by many Christians worldwide.
It falls 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 fasting days, excluding Sundays) and serves as a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance, prayer and almsgiving.
During the celebration, Catholics have ashes applied on their foreheads in the shape of a cross followed by the words ‘repent and believe in the gospel.’
The ashes used are obtained from burning the palm fronds used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday service.
Notably, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the 40-day Lenten period, which is the preparation leading up to Holy Week, which celebrates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Consequently, this year’s Lenten season will conclude on April 17. Good Friday will be observed on April 18, Easter Sunday on April 20 and Easter Monday on April 21.
The scripture readings for the day, are drawn from the book of Prophet Joel, Psalms 51, the second book of Corinthians and the gospel of Matthew 6:1-6, emphasising the importance of repentance accompanied by weeping, fasting and mourning.
The 40-day duration symbolizes a time of testing, trial, purification, or preparation, as exemplified by Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the wilderness before the commencement of his ministry.
Similarly, the prophet Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai before receiving the Ten Commandments, and the Israelites wandered for 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land.
During this Lent period, clergy emphasize the importance of enhancing one’s prayer life by dedicating more time to praying and fasting, asserting that such practices will empower believers to resist temptation.
Ash Wednesday hails the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting and is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula celebrated Holy Mass at Parliament Buildings.
“As an adherent Catholic, I joined other Catholics around the world in marking the start of the Lenten Season; a time of deep Prayer, Fasting and caring for our neighbours in need through almsgiving. We also commit and join other Kenyans in praying for our nation as called upon by our Bishops,” noted the Speaker.