Kanajar, February 18: Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent was observed at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kanajar, on 17th February. There were two masses, the first at 8.30 am and the second at 10.30 am. Rev. Fr. Allwyn D'Cunha, the parish priest celebrated the Holy Mass at 8.30 am.

In his homily he invited the faithful to understand the significance of Lent in Christian calendar. He asked the congregation to observe the lent by doing sacrifice, helping the poor and moreover by living a good Christian life, as the lent season is a good opportunity to cleanse our souls by doing good things, reading the word of God and leave behind all bad habits.

During the liturgy the ashes were blessed and applied on the forehead of worshippers in the sign of the cross, saying the words, "Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return"
The ashes signify penance and repentance before God. The ashes used in this ceremony are obtained by burning the blessed palms used on the Palm Sunday of the previous year.