The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday

On Wednesday, February 18, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday, also known as Clean Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten season of preparation for Easter.

At the University Chapel of the Catholic University of Croatia, the Holy Mass was presided over by the Rector of the University, Prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD. Concelebrating were Prof. Ante Crnčević, PhD, Vice-Rector for Quality, Identity, and Mission; Associate Professor Richard Pavlić from the Faculty of Engineering; Odilon Singbo, PhD; and the University Chaplain, Rev. Branimir Jagodić.

With the priest’s words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” the faithful received the imposition of ashes, symbolically allowing the fire of God’s love to consume and turn their sins to ash, and allowing God’s grace on Ash Wednesday to purify their souls and bodies.

Lent calls us to conversion. This means a profound and essential change, not a small or superficial one. Conversion is a turning point - a complete reorientation of the whole person toward God. During the Lenten season, our university chapel will host the devotion of the Stations of the Cross every Friday at 11:30 a.m., and other Lenten activities will begin on Monday, February 23, after the examination period.