Lent Season: A Time to Reflect

Each year, Christians from different groups welcome spring and hope for a bountiful harvest in a celebration that is called “Lent”. In our language, Lent is called Kwaresma. It is a time for repentance. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on our doings, rethink our ways, repent from our sins, and giving thanks for the gift of salvation we receive through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (this year it occurred on February 17) and ends on Holy or Maundy Thursday (this year April 1) On the evening of Holy Thursday the Sacred Triduum beings. The holiday is 40 days long. During this period of time, we ask for the Lord’s forgiveness, we discipline ourselves with fasting, and serve by giving alms. In those 40 days, we abstain from any luxuries, we convert our souls and minds into a better version of ourselves, and look back, recall, and commemorate the biggest sacrifice the Lord has made for us-dying on the cross. The 40 days represent or correspond to the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness to fast, pray, and endure the temptations of the devil, he was preparing for his public ministry which would culminate in his death on the cross. The word "Lent" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon term "lencten" (relating to the lengthening of days), which translates to "spring."

In the Philippines, we celebrate the Lenten Season in such a special and unique way. Considering that the country is dominated with Catholics, it is no surprise that celebrating the Lenten Season is significant and important. Throughout the years, we celebrated this season in meaningful ways but practices that are usually present and active include the following, but not limited to:

1.     Ash Wednesday (Miyerkules ng Abo) is the first day of the Lent. During the first part of the mass, priests would draw crosses on a person’s forehead with ashes to signify their inner repentance. The ashes used in this tradition are from the branches that are blessed on the previous Palm Sunday.

2.     Palm Sunday (Linggo ng Palapas). During this day, Catholics sway their palm branches inside the church during mass. This correspond to the welcoming of Jesus by the people of Jerusalem with palm branches. This is the official start of Holy Week or Semana Santa

3.     Pabasa ng Pasyon. It is the chanting of the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ, this is done by a group of people coming from different areas or barangays that takes turns in chanting and singing the parts of the verses that are in the book called “Pasyon”.This is usually done done continuously day and night from Maundy Thursday until Good Friday.

4.     Senakulo or Cenacle is a traditional passion play depicting the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Senakulo is performed on Holy Week and are commonly performed on the streets of the barangay, on a large stage or room, in a big compound or at a chapel or church.

5.     Visita Iglesia.  This involves visiting 7 or even 14 churches and recite the station of the cross in each church

6.     Washing of the Feet. This occurred during the last mass of Maundy Thursday. The priest would wash the feet of his parishioners, this is a re-enacment of Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples after they had their last supper.

7.     Prusisyon ng mga Santo. During the Holy Week or Semana Santa, we have processions with saints, these processions would light up the cities with the candles that people would hold behind the carosa or image. This becomes an instrument to recall and look back about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Truly, we have one of the richest cultures and traditions in Asia but it is just sad to think that we were deprived of these activities and we cannot practice these traditions for 2 years since the pandemic has begun. For now, we can still celebrate these festivities in the comfort of our own homes or visit masses while following the health protocols.  Overall, this period is for us to convert ourselves into a new better version of ourselves by repenting from our sins, strengthening our deep and personal connecting with the Lord, asking for forgiveness from God, and thanking Him for what He has done to us in order for us to be saved.

SOURCES:

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/good-friday-lent-season-and-holy-week-concept-royalty-free-image-1583865483.jpg

https://peterpilt.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/lent_6316c.jpg