Filipinos in Belgium join observance of Ash Wednesday

By RAQUEL BERNAL-CRISOSTOMO
ABS-CBN Europe News Desk

Several Filipinos joined the Catholic Community in Belgium in the observance of Ash Wednesday. This is to officially mark the beginning of Lent which is a period of penitence and fasting in commemoration of death and resurrection of Jesus.

In his homily, Filipino Chaplain Rev. Father Raymund Gaspar recalled that Lent is a journey supported by intense prayer, penance and concern for the needy.

He also reminded everyone that "from dust, one shall go back to dust" and encouraged worshippers to change for the better.

After the homily, the faithful were marked on the forehead with a cross made of ashes, a reminder of Christ’s suffering.

The ashes used were made of burnt palm crosses that were used and blest on the previous Palm Sunday.

Crispina Payucon, member of El Shaddai of St. Remi chapter shared with ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau the significance of Ash Wednesday in a Christian’s life.

"Ito po ay isang paghahanda sa mahal na araw. Ito rin ay pasasalamat na rin sa ating Panginoon sa kanyang pagsagip sa ating mga kasalanan (This is a preparation for Lent and saying thanks to the Lord’s having saved us from sin)," she said.

On the other hand, Fr. John Pierre Demuldyer emphasized that joining the celebration is a "sign of being serious in living the way God wants us to live".

"We say to all Catholics that after gathering here tonight, we go to Easter and that’s the way to be happy, to become blessed and to be very near to Jesus", he said.

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