Despite the allure of Valentine’s Day festivities, a devoted assembly gathered at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Ndola diocese on February 14th, 2024, to observe Ash Wednesday. Led by the Bishop of Ndola diocese- Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri JCD. In a testament to their faith, many chose to fast, pray, and attend Mass despite the cultural prominence of Valentine’s Day. The sanctuary filled with worshippers, each seeking to embark on a journey of introspection and repentance as Lent commenced.

During his homily, Bishop Phiri fearlessly addressed the congregation, confronting the uncomfortable truths of sin and its consequences. With uncompromising clarity, he spoke of the reality of hell and the imperative need for genuine repentance and transformation. He challenged each congregant to examine their lives, acknowledging the social injustices perpetuated and the hypocrisy of seeking heaven while neglecting justice and mercy on earth. As the Mass reached its climax, the solemn ritual of imposing ashes commenced.

With reverence, Bishop Phiri and the clergy traced the sign of the cross on the foreheads of the faithful, uttering the timeless words: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” This profound gesture served as a tangible reminder of mortality, urging each believer to confront their mortality and embrace the call to repentance and faith. As worshippers departed, marked with ashes and hearts stirred with conviction, they carried with them a solemn resolve to embrace the Lenten journey with sincerity and self-examination, trusting in the transformative power of God’s grace.