Catholics around the world celebrate Ash Wednesday today, marking the beginning of the 40-day period known as Lent. This time ends on Palm Sunday, which, in turn, signals the start of Holy Week.

Lent is a time of reflection and preparation for the Passover feast of the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, which closes with Holy Week. This is a time of prayer, charity and penance, in search of personal conversion. “Lent invites us to live God’s mercy to others as Jesus loved the poor and sinners turning their love mercy,” the message of the archbishop, Monsignor Pastor Cuquejo, at the beginning of this liturgical period. Mass presided Cuquejo today from 11.00 at the Metropolitan Cathedral, where the ash will be imposed.

CHARITABLE GESTURE. Under the start of this time, and live as a proposed charity, the Archdiocesan Social Ministry organized to date, a day of blood donation in the Metropolitan Seminary (Kubitschek and Azara). The activities range from 7.30 to 11.30, and invites young people and caring adults.