•Faithful Reflect on Repentance, Charity, and National Unity During the 40-Day Lenten Season
Christians in Kiambu County joined millions around the world in marking the beginning of Lent with solemn Ash Wednesday celebrations, gathering in churches to receive ashes as a symbol of repentance and human mortality.
The sacred observance, which ushers in the 40-day Lenten season, is a time of introspection, prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, culminating in the celebration of Easter Sunday.
A Time for Reflection and Renewal
Lent is a deeply significant period in the Christian calendar, particularly for Catholics, who use this time to reflect on their spiritual lives and seek forgiveness in preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
Across churches in Kiambu, congregants participated in Masses where priests administered ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return.”
This ritual serves as a poignant reminder of human frailty and the call to repentance.
Speaking during a service at Our Lady of Consolata Church in Kahawa Farmers, Parish Priest Father Lawrence Kamere highlighted the historical and spiritual significance of Lent, tracing its roots to the early Christian church, where ashes symbolized grief, mourning, and penance.
“Today, receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday is a call to repentance, reminding us of our mortality and our need for spiritual renewal,” he said.
Kamere further urged Christians to use this season as an opportunity for self-examination, forgiveness, and charitable acts.
He encouraged believers to extend kindness to others, including visiting the sick in hospitals, assisting those in prisons, and forgiving unpaid debts.
“Lent is a time not only for prayer and fasting but also for acts of mercy. Let us give thanks by sharing with the less fortunate and spreading compassion in our communities,” he emphasized.
The Kenya We Desire: A Call for Unity and Transformation
As part of this year’s Lenten reflection, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) launched a national theme titled “The Kenya We Desire.”
This initiative calls on Christians to work toward a just, peaceful, and united country by bearing one another’s burdens and becoming agents of societal transformation.
Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe, Chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Department (CJPD), reiterated the Church’s message, urging believers to consider not only their own well-being but also the welfare of others.
“We are called to desire the good of all people, regardless of their background or status. In the face of economic hardships, political instability, and social injustices, we must pray for our nation’s healing and commit ourselves to actions that reflect these desires,” his statement read.
Acts of Kindness Amid Economic Hardships
For many worshippers, Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, but it also comes against the backdrop of economic struggles affecting many families.
Natasha Lelenguya, a congregant at Our Lady of Consolata Church, expressed hope that the season would inspire people to support those in need.
“I urge my fellow Christians to be mindful of others by sharing the little we have. Even small acts of kindness can make a difference and bring hope to those facing economic challenges,” she said.
Lent is observed across various Christian denominations in Kenya, including the Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church, Methodist Church, and Lutheran Church.
While practices may differ, the core principles of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving remain central to the season’s observance.
A Call to Prayer, Forgiveness, and Social Responsibility
As Christians in Kiambu and across the country embark on their 40-day spiritual journey, church leaders have encouraged them to embrace Lent as a time for personal transformation and national reconciliation.
Father Kamere called upon believers to pray not only for themselves and their families but also for the country’s leaders, churches, and society at large.
“Let us pray for peace, justice, and unity in our nation. Let us be the change that we wish to see,” he urged.
With the Ash Wednesday observances setting the tone for the Lenten season, the faithful are reminded that true devotion is not only about personal piety but also about uplifting others, promoting justice, and fostering unity in their communities.
As the 40-day journey unfolds, Christians in Kiambu and beyond are called to walk a path of faith, service, and renewal.
Share This Post