Lent period starts

By Juliet Lukwago

Christians today commemorate Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the 40 days of the lent period ending on Easter Sunday.

Ash Wednesday received its name from the tradition of spreading ashes on a person's forehead as a biblical sign of mourning and repentance to God.

Msgr. John Wynand Katende, the public relations official of Kampala Archdiocese said that this is a period of self-examination, repentance, prayer, helping the disadvantaged and good conduct.

He described Lent as a time of prayer and fasting in the life of the church. "Lent offers opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, through prayer, fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline

The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.

Not all Christian churches observe Lent. Lent is mostly observed by, Roman Catholics, Anglican denominations, the Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches.