TANZANIAN Christians yesterday joined others around the world to observe Ash Wednesday, a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting, denoting the beginning of the repentant period of Lent which precedes Easter.
President John Magufuli and First Lady Janeth Magufuli attended the mass on Ash Wednesday at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Dar es Salaam which was presided by the Parish Priest Dr Alister Makubi.
Dr Makubi called upon Christians to commit themselves to fasting and support those in need during lent period. Dr Magufuli and his wife Janeth were among the believers who were marked with ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads.
Christians around the world observe Ash Wednesday by attending mass in which priests apply the cross of ashes on believers’ foreheads.
Ash Wednesday is observed by individuals from various denominations of Christianity, including Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist.
By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.
