Archbishop Ssemogerere calls for practical Christianity during Lent
Ssemogerere delivered the call while presiding over a fully attended hour-long Ash Wednesday Mass at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere administers ash on the forehead of Christians during the Ash Wednesday mass at Lubaga Cathedral. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
__________________
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Kampala, the Most Rev. Paul Ssemogerere, has urged the Catholic faithful to pray, fast and help the needy as the main requirements of the Lenten season, which began on Wednesday.
Ssemogerere delivered the call while presiding over a fully attended hour-long Ash Wednesday Mass at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala.
A spectacle of Christians at Lubaga Cathedral on Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and reflection, before the arrival of Easter.
The archbishop described Lent as a battle season during which believers must fight evil with even greater determination.
He expressed joyous surprise that the Christians and their Muslim counterparts have started fasting on the same day, saying that would help members of the respective religious denominations to fight the devil together.
The Administrator of Lubaga Cathedral, Fr. Achilles Mayanja administers ash on the forehead of Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere during the Ash-Wedneday mass at the cathedral. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
"This is a blessing and chance for us to engage the devil together during this post-election time. Many of us got wounds from the elections because of the actions that Satan tempted us to do, and so, we are now coming together to God to say sorry," said the prelate.
Ssemogerere asked Christians to pray for restraint, saying Uganda needs to see an end to the culture of hatred, anger, violence and death.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere administers ash on the forehead of a little boy during the Ash Wednesday mass at Lubaga Cathedral. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
"The Lenten season prepares us for the resurrection of Jesus. It helps us to go to God when we are totally cleansed."
In the same spirit, the archbishop cautioned Christians against pompous fasting, saying true observance of Lent calls for practical Christian actions.
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere administers ash on the forehead of Christians during the Ash Wednesday mass at Lubaga Cathedral. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)
During the Mass, the Christians also made a special offering to the needy.
Similar prayers were also conducted in other places of worship across the country.