The Beginning of a Steward’s Journey of Hope Towards the Joy of Easter

Ash Wednesday is a Christian Catholic holy day of prayer and fasting. Ash Wednesday, the 1st day of Lent, is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, repentance, and reconciliation. By burning palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday and placing the ashes into the foreheads of worshipers in the shape of a cross, everyone is enjoined to repent from their sins and be renewed.

To have a significant Lent in observance in each GKK, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Sasa, Rev. Fr. Leonardo A. Dublan, Jr., has authorized all GKKs belonging to St. Joseph Parish since 2020 to perform the Rite of Burning Blessed Palms from the previous year. The Rite was done in their respective GKKs on March 1, 2025 during the Kasaulogan sa Pulong (KSP).

The Rite of burning Blessed Palms gives meaning and shows a sign of Faith, especially that the Archdiocese of Davao is celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope. The Gift of HOPE is the precious gift given by our Lord.

As a way of opening the first day of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025, St. Joseph Parish celebrated three (3) Masses at 6:00 am, 8:00 am, and 5:30 pm, where the foreheads of worshipers were blessed with ashes. The ashes symbolize repentance and the need for reconciliation.

Lent’s purpose is preparing the believer for Easter through prayer, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living, and self-denial.

An important element of the season of Lent is to recognize not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also the suffering for others in need.

Every year, St. Joseph the Worker Parish conducts an Alay Kapwa Orientation to all GKK Pundok Banay that belongs to the Parish, as a way to help and serve the people especially the poorest. (Emy D. Gamorot)