Mardi Gras came and went in St. Charles Parish, with two successful parades that brought tons of fun to the area. As a benefit, the rain held off last weekend, which made the parades even more enjoyable.
Now, its time to embrace Lent.
With Fat Tuesday over, the beginning of the Lenten season is here.
Many people embrace the need of selflessness at the beginning of Lent so that they can come to a fuller understanding of the life Jesus Christ led as Easter draws near.
The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Bible does not mention the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in many scriptures.
Pope John Paul II wrote in a prayer for the Lenten season, “As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son.
“May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter.”
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