By Lianna Roc

The Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) community opened the season of Lent with the eucharistic celebration of the Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5, on the third-floor of the Formation Learning Center (FLC), mainly presided over by Fr. Gabby Nanawa, SJ. 

Joining him were fellow Jesuits, senior high chaplain Fr. Weng Bavia, Fr. John Tajon, and homilist Fr. Ted Benito.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, wherein Catholics prepare for the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Christ.

With this, Fr. Benito emphasized in his homily the importance of repentance and reflection this season of Lent, encouraging us to step back from our daily activities to ‘turn inwards,’ and ‘look into your soul.’

“It’s a time to look into your heart, to look into your soul, to give thanks, to say sorry, and to pray for the future,” he expressed, highlighting the need for renewal as the community participates in fasting and almsgiving throughout the season of Lent.

Finally, Fr. Benito ended his homily with the words of Pope Francis, reiterating that “Lent is a time to reflect and to ask ourselves, ‘Without God’s grace where would I be?’ Lent is a time to open our hearts to God, reminding ourselves that from dust we were, and to dust we will return.” 

Sponsoring the mass were the classes of 12-Gonzales, 12-Pro, and 12-Xavier respectively, with the beneficiaries going to the recent fire victims at Pook Daan Tubo, UP Village.