The MCS Community OBSERVES the Start of Lent THROUGH a Mass
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Repent and believe in the gospel.” After almost three years of the pandemic, MCS held its first Ash Wednesday Eucharistic Celebration with the students inside the Malate Church.
Written by: Aila Dejaros
Layout by: Aurora Isabel Madali
Photojournalists: Heart Jaden Reyes, Kerby Bagapuro
February 24, 2023 | 8:10 P.M.
On February 22, 2023, at 10 AM, a mass commemorating Ash Wednesday was held at Our Lady of Remedies Parish, presided over by Rev. Fr. Solomon Jardinero.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lenten Season, the beginning of the 40 days of preparation for Easter Sunday. The ornaments of the church and vestments of the priests were now changed into a vibrant shade of purple, which represents penance, sacrifice, and preparation.
The homily given by Fr. Sol emphasized the significance of Ash Wednesday, and its strong relation to repentance, humility, and mortality or the weakness of sin.
It was said that the season of Lent is observed by remembering Jesus' Paschal Mystery which culminates in the celebration of his resurrection or rising from the dead.
Ash Wednesday represents the start of this season. Blessed palms from the previous year are burned and turned into ash, representing repentance and a sign of acceptance and acknowledgment that one is a sinner. This reminds people that all are saved and are temporary agents of this world, “into dust we shall return,” and are meant to rise into immortality like Jesus.
Furthermore, Fr. Sol also shared the three essential practices during this season, namely, “fasting” not only from meat but also from sin, “prayer” to aid in fighting temptations, desires of the flesh, as well as the devil, and “alms-giving.”
After the homily, the imposition of ashes took place.
Students from the Grade School Department (SET A) and Grade 11 students of the Senior High School (SET A) received the Ash cross after the morning praise through a ceremony held at Malate Catholic School. Students from SET B and ODL were able to attend the online broadcast of the mass celebration.