Catholics reminded to fast starting Ash Wednesday

Filipino Catholics, including the youth, on Tuesday were reminded by a Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines official to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, when they kick off this year's Lenten season.

 

CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth executive secretary Fr. Conegundo Garganta noted many forget they can have only one full meal on Ash Wednesday.

 

“During Ash Wednesday, there is a basic invitation to take only one full meal as a form of sacrifice for the day. It is up to you to choose which meals you will give up. But whatever savings you gain for giving up two other full meals are meant to be shared with others,” he said in an interview with the Church-based group YouthPinoy.

 

Garganta also reiterated Ash Wednesday is a holiday of obligation, and the faithful should also attend Mass aside from having their foreheads marked with ash.

 

He added they are called to give up food as a form of sacrifice on the first day of Lent - a tall order for some since Lent coincides with graduation parties and fiestas.

 

The CBCP official said that while he is not discouraging people from taking part in some feasts, they should "limit their attendance to the most important ones."

 

“There really are many opportunities to gather together and share meals during the Lenten season. We are not saying they should not attend these occasions but we are advising them to attend those that are the meaningful ones,” he added.

 

Value of sacrifice

 

Garganta also urged elders to teach the young the value of sacrifice during Lent.

 

He said the Lenten invitation to fast and to give alms to the poor can be observed in many ways such as organizing feeding programs for malnourished children in a poor community.

 

“Lent is the time when elders can encourage the young to see the beauty of doing sacrifice. They themselves should practice it and provide good witnessing to the youth,” he said. — ELR, GMA News