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Ash Wednesday marks beginning of Lent
The second day of the three-day annual festival of Mother Mary at Gunadala celebrated Ash Wednesday that starts the Lent season. Devotees thronged in huge numbers at the church on Wednesday to begin fast and prayers for next 40 days preparing themselves for Easter.
Vijayawada: The second day of the three-day annual festival of Mother Mary at Gunadala celebrated Ash Wednesday that starts the Lent season. Devotees thronged in huge numbers at the church on Wednesday to begin fast and prayers for next 40 days preparing themselves for Easter.
Bishop of Eluru, Dr Polimera Jayarao blessed the devotees and administered the Deeksha at Bishop Grassi High School grounds. Thousand of devotees, who observe Lent, will be spending most of their time in prayers apart from fasting. The devotees from all over Krishna district received the Deeksha during the special prayers conducted in the Mother Mary festival.
The Bishop advised the devotees to spend the next 40 days in prayers, penance, almsgiving and repentance of sins that would take them close to the god. For several years Christians in the State have started the practice of the Deeksha by donning a white dress throughout the season.
Though every Christian observe Lent at home the fasting, those who take up the Deeksha spend more time in prayers, keeping themselves off from regular life chores. The Bishop accompanied by priests also offered cash to the devotees marking the beginning of the Lent season that replicates the 40 days fasting of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.
The Bishop smeared Ash on the foreheads of the devotees to mark the event. The Ash, that was collected by burning of the palm leaves displayed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. The Palm Sunday is observed on the Sunday before Easter that marks the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Earlier in the day during the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Jayarao said that Holy Mother Mary protects the devotees and takes them to the Lord. He said that the Mother is blessed and chosen by the Lord which made her very special. He further added that the Holy Mother showers her love on the devotees whenever they prayed to her.
The Gunadala Shrine Rector Fr M Chinnappa, Vijayawada Diocese chancellor Fr J John Raju, Social Service Center Director Fr Muvvala Prasad and others were also present.
