Church calls for repentance ahead of Holy Week rites

by ROBERTZON RAMIREZ Philstar.com

MANILA — The Catholic Church is inviting the faithful to participate in religious activities in line with the observance of this year’s Lenten season, which began on Feb. 22, Ash Wednesday.

In an interview with Church-run Radyo Veritas, Fr. Gregory Gaston of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome said Ash Wednesday is a reminder for people to repent, to fast and to spiritually renew oneself.

“If you can, do go to the church on Ash Wednesday and have ashes placed on your forehead. It is not just for show, but it is also an invitation to reform our lives, to repent,” Gaston said in Filipino.

The prelate also reminded the Catholic faithful to confess their sins to prepare themselves for the Holy Week.

He said confession is God’s way of giving the faithful the strength to fight temptations, committing sins and other circumstances