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KAMPALA - Hundreds of Catholics thronged Rubaga Cathedral for the celebration of Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Catholic Lenten Season.

This is a 40-day period of intense prayer, fasting, and extra-ordinary charity that prepares believers for the events of Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.

The lunch-hour mass at the Cathedral was presided over by the Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere who called on the Christian faithful to deepen their commitment to the needy. 

The prelate of Rubaga also asked Christians and all Ugandans of goodwill to strengthen their devotion to prayer, peace, and piety.

“The Lenten season prepares us to participate in the suffering, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. During this period of 40 days, we are required to meditate on those things that displease God.

Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere imposes ash on the forehead of a baby during the Ash Wednesday mass at Rubaga Cathedral. (All Photos by Mathias Mazinga)

"We are also called upon to meditate on our bad habits and actions that inconvenience our brothers and sisters and consequently refrain from them. The imposition of the ashes on our forehead is a symbol of our determination to fight Satan and sin,” Ssemogerere said.

He also encouraged all adult Christians  (from 21 to 60) years to fast as the Catholic law of fasting requires. He also asked the Christians to be even more committed than ever to prayer and the practice of charity.  

The Prelate nonetheless cautioned the Christians against superficial piety, charity, and fasting which he said is detested by God.

“The Bible helps us to understand the proper way of fasting. We don’t fast to show off or impress other people. We also don’t help people for pomp. We must be genuine in our fasting, prayer, and charitable works. Don’t donate to the needy to be seen or praised. If you give with the right hand, the left one should not see,” Ssemogerere said.

Youthful Christians take a selfie after the Ash Wednesday mass at Rubaga Cathedral.

Ssemogerere also asked Christians not to limit their commitment to prayer and charitable works to the Lenten period but to continue pursuing holiness for the rest of their life.

“Lent helps us to reconcile with God and our brethren. We strengthen our relationship with God and our fellow human beings through prayer and charity. By the time we conclude lent, we should be seen to be transformed Christians. All those who see us should be able to acknowledge that we are followers of Christ. Our virtuous disposition must not end with the Lenten period. We are supposed to be true witnesses of Christ all the days of our life,” Ssemogerere said.

The mass at Rubaga Cathedral was also concelebrated by the Cathedral Administrator the Very Re, Fr. Achilles Mayanja, and his curates who included among others Fr. Anthony Aliddeki Musaala.