Today, 22nd February 2023, the Cathedral of Christ the king community joined the universal church in celebrating Ash Wednesday, with a mass celebrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri JCD -Bishop of Ndola Diocese. During Mass ashes were blessed and given to the lay faithful as a symbol of repentance.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration.
The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him.
Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.