Christians commit to renew their faith as Lent begins
Feb 10, 2016
The 40 days of fasting represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan.
The Lent season started on Wednesday with a rallying call to Christians by religious leaders to pray, repent and be more generous.
In and outside Kampala, the Ugandan capital, people thronged churches for the Ash Wednesday mass in which they received ashes as a sign of repentance.
Lent is a season of 40 days, excluding Sundays, that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. It is marked by fasting, prayer and doing charitable acts.
According to the United Methodist Church, Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word 'lencten', which means 'spring'.
"The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry," says the church.
Throughout the country, people marked the beginning of 40 days of fasting with mass and prayer.
Clergy's advice
Preacher after preacher reminded Christians to use this holy period to reflect on the three most important Lenten obligations for Christians: prayer, repentance and almsgiving.
The day's scripture emphasized that fasting that does not lead to works of charity does us no good.
In his annual Lenten message, Pope Francis reminded the Christians about God's grace during this period.
Back home, priests have emphasized mercy and renewal.
"This is a time for renewal. God is calling us to seek his forgiveness. It will be up to us to say Yes or No," Fr. Joseph Kaseeta, the curate of St. Jude Catholic parish Nagulu, said during mass at Vision Group offices.
At Christ the King parish in Kampala, Msgr Joseph Mugambe called upon Christians to open up their hearts to God's mercy.
At St Peter's Catholic Church Nsambya, Fr. Joseph Ssemanda, the parish priest, called on Christians to repent and fast.
Christians Commit
Christians have promised to renew their commitment to God.
"This for me is a time to reflect and intensify my prayer life, fast and reconcile with others. I will use this season to make a pilgrimage to the Uganda Martyrs shrines in Namugongo and Munyonyo." - Lilian Kanyeihe, Coordinator of Vision Group Catholic Community
"Lent for me is a season to turn back to God and to think more about the purpose of the cross and what its relevance to my Christian life is. I will use this season to let go of some bad habits that hinder my happiness." - Gladys Namyalo, Software Engineer
"Lent reminds us of God's goodness and we should use it as a way of worshipping him. I plan to fast because fasting helps in spiritual and physical renewal. It is a commitment to please God in such a period." - Jerome Atugonza, a student