Journey of Lent and Penitent

 

Feel the presence of holy time, penitential period and covered with discipline of abstinence and fasting. Defined by strong connections, deepen the true relationship with God, strengthening faith and devotion, and silent reflection of death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent Season, a precious times of changing life’s direction into positive, healthy and healings. A significant time of reminiscent and focus on glory, sincerity of asking for forgiveness, asking the blessings to clean whole mind, heart and body, remembering morality, and giving wholeheartedly gratitude for the salvations received  through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The word Lent is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term “lencten” (relating to the lengthening of days), which means spring.

Lent is a 40 day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday when Catholic Filipinos returning from church with ash smudged on their foreheads in the shape of a cross and the Lent lasted until Easter Sunday. During Lent, we seek the Lord in prayer by reading Sacred Scripture; we serve by giving alms; and we practice self-control through fasting. We are called not only to abstain from luxuries during Lent, but to a true inner conversion of heart as we seek to follow Christ’s will more faithfully. We recall the waters of baptism in which we were also baptized into Christ’s death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Holy week runs from Palm Sunday to Black Saturday-time of serious atonement and performing holy rites in fulfillment of a vow to God. Filipino Catholics traditionally wave their palaspas gratefully blessed as commemoration of the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. For almost a week, town is filled with silence but hearing the traditional pabasa (the “reading” or chanting of verses about the suffering of Christ) starts on Sunday and ends on Maundy Thursday, which is the day when the washing of the feet is celebrated.

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of  Christ. On this day, you will see religious figures being carried through the towns on top of carrozas (carriages). The religious images and statues are veiled in black in mourning of the death of Jesus. Black Saturday is when Christ is entombed. Filipinos spend the day preparing for the night vigil leading up to Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

Futhermore, beliefs, traditions and superstitions are also continuously running including the prohibition of children playing during Good Friday, Visita Iglesia, portraying the significant events of Jesus’s life and penitent.

Due to strict protocols and must followed regulations, the lent season altered. From face-to-face holy mass and  into virtual one ensuring that the pandemic will not devastating decline the curve again. But some are executed with proper measures, following the protocols precisely and accomplishing strict rules assuring the safety, security and protection of wellness. Catholics are indeed obtaining the heart of religiously connected, devotion, positive change and blessedness. The lent season may have been truly different from before but the repentance, acceptance, strengthen the hope and faith, value, and truly meaning of lent are strongly eternal in our lives.

“It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 1 Timothy 1:15

References Retrieved From:

BY JENNIFER ALDRICH, JAN 14, 2021, https://www.countryliving.com/life/a26294776/when-is-lent/

 

https://www.tagaloglang.com/holy-week-in-the-philippines/#:~:text=It%20is%20traditionally%20a%20solemn,in%20purple%20to%20symbolize%20gloom.

Images Retrieved From:

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