Ash Wednesday marks start of Lent

MANILA, Philippines - Lent starts today, Ash Wednesday, and in case Catholics accidentally eat meat on a Friday, they can make up for it by doing an act of charity, according to an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

In observance of the Lenten season, Catholics are urged to abstain from eating meat during Fridays.

But CBCP secretary-general Monsignor Joselito Asis yesterday said that should Catholics fail to do this, they can make up for it by doing an act of charity, including not speaking ill of other people, helping people who are in need, praying for the intention of others, visiting the sick, feeding the hungry and giving alms.

When asked how much money should be given to a needy person, Asis said there is no prescribed amount.

“What is important is the intention,” he said.

He said that the Law on Abstinence is binding to those who are 14 years old and above, while the Law on Fasting covers those between 18 to 60 years old.

Asis also said that it is not a sin if Catholics are unable to have ashes placed on their forehead during Ash Wednesday.

“Ash Wednesday is devotional. If you are not able to have ash placed on your forehead or you are unable to hear Mass, that is not a sin,” he said.