Mangalore, Feb 22,2012: The Christian community in Mangalore observed Ash Wednesday today and holy mass was held in parishes all over the city. Masses will be said in the evening too.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period, and comes 46 days before Easter. Christians spend this season in reflection, forgiveness, giving to charity, and prayer. They are expected to be detached from worldly pleasures and experience the presence of God in their fellow human beings. It is also time to be spent in repentance and spiritual cleansing.
Ash was applied to the foreheads of the faithful who attended the mass. Ash Wednesday begins with fasting, but a light meal is allowed in the evening. The faithful are prevented from eating meat on this day.