It’s the beginning of Lent for Catholics, this March 2nd, with Ash Wednesday. These ashes are the dried up branches from the previous Easter, which are burned and smeared on the foreheads of the faithful.
The Diocese of Port-Louis is asking its faithful to give preference to Masses and celebrations that will be held in several regions of the island in small groups, instead of going to the churches. The Vicar General of the Catholic Church, Father Gerard Sullivan, tells us about the arrangements made by the Bishopric for the organization of Ash Wednesday as well as the holding of XL hours in the parishes.
This Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a long period of fasting of 40 days and will culminate with Easter which commemorates the resurrection of Christ. This period echoes the forty-day penance of Jesus Christ in the desert. Vicar General Gerard Sullivan, who is also pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Rose Hill, helps us to better understand the meaning of this ritual of imposition of ashes among Catholics.
For the priest, the imposition of ashes is above all a rite that all believers must observe to begin their fast. “Ash Wednesday also means a renewal of one’s Christian faith and of one’s daily life,” the priest said.
From the outset, Father Gerard Sullivan points out that this celebration has several meanings in the life of a Christian. “Lent is a way for Catholics to unite with Christ and it is a time to purify oneself and remove all traces of dust that have settled on one’s heart and faith,” he says.
Limited number of faithful
Ash Wednesday celebrations will be special this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health restrictions impose important constraints, such as limiting the number of people who can attend the service. “At the Diocesan level, we don’t want to see large crowds in the churches for Ash Wednesday Mass because of the Covid-19 pandemic. So there will be small celebrations in each neighborhood. We encourage the faithful to prefer these small celebrations that will be held in small groups instead of coming to the parishes,” says Gérard Sullivan.
From the outset, the Vicar General states that all priests or laity assigned to this task will sprinkle the ashes on the head of each faithful. There will be no physical contact between the priest/layman and the faithful, to avoid the spread of Covid-19.
During forty days, the adults will carry out their Lent by fasting and depriving themselves, the youngest faithful have been invited to make small efforts at their level. Lent for children includes obedience to parents and acts of kindness.
Times of adoration to replace the XL Hours
Generally, during the Lenten season, Catholics and non-Catholics alike go to church in large numbers to pray before the Holy Sacrifice. However, the Diocese of Port-Louis was forced to propose a new formula for the 40 Hours.
“Usually, the 40 Hours gather large crowds in the parishes. Due to Covid-19, there will be no 40 Hours in parishes across the island this year. Instead, each church will offer a time of adoration around the Holy Sacrament for a longer period of time. We ask the faithful to organize themselves and come in small groups to the churches,” said the Vicar General.
