Nigerians have been urged to take advantage of the Lenten season which started today with the Ash Wednesday celebration to increase their delivery of alms and goodwill to the poor and needy in the society.
The Parish Priest of Saint Monica’s Catholic Church, Maza Maza, Lagos the Reverend Father Charles Unachukwu who made the call at the occasion of Ash Wednesday in the church stated that giving to the under-privileged would help to reduce the level of hardship and suffering among Nigerians.
Father Unachukwu explained that the Lenten season is an period in the liturgical calendar, when adherents are obliged to fast and pray, as well as give alms to the needy.
According to Father Unachukwu, it is not enough to fast from food, but the money that could have been spent on food should be given to the needy, otherwise it would amount to saving for future spending, which is against the tradition of Lenten fast.
The priest also encouraged faithful to make efforts to fast from sin as that is necessary to make the holy season more rewarding.
The high point of the celebration was the administration of ash on the foreheads of participants as a reminder of the immorality of man and in sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ.
