On Ash Wednesday Lent began, a forty-days of preparation for Easter. On this day, the Foundation’s scholarship holders and the residents of our House gathered at the Holy Mass presided by Fr. Ivan Khodonovich, scholarship holder from Ukraine. In his homily, he encouraged us to make efforts to improve our relationship with God and our neighbor. Fasting, prayer and almsgiving are helping us to shape our attitudes.
According to St. John Paul II “the period of Lent is a time of deep truth that converts, restores hope and putting everything in right place again, calms down and creates optimism.” As a sign of the beginning of Lent, our heads were sprinkled with a pinch of ash. This sign in the Jewish-Christian tradition is to remind of the penance and passing of human life, it also means mourning and pain. It is also a symbol of purification and resurrection. God created man from the dust of the earth and reborn him in Christ to a new life. Symbolism of the day, sprinkling with ashes and strict fast, express the condition of a sinful man who, confessing his guilt, decides to convert. This traditional rite is intended to remind you that earthly life is passing away, and strong faith, spiritual exercises, voluntary sacrifices help to achieve eternal life.
The custom of sprinkling heads with ash during the Ash Wednesday liturgy was adopted in the Church in the 11th century and was officially introduced by Pope Urban II in 1099.
I encourage you to participate in the Way of the Cross and other Lent prayers in order to prepare us to meet with the Risen Savior.
Olena Kaflovska
