Latest stories: Ash Wednesday

Bishop in Botswana Recounts Ash Wednesday Experience amid COVID-19 Restrictions

The Bishop of Botswana’s Gaborone Diocese has recounted his experience of Ash Wednesday amid COVID-19 restrictions in the Southern African nation where public worship remains suspended.

COVID-19 Isn’t Only Pandemic Assailing Nigeria, Bishop Says on Ash Wednesday

At the beginning of Lent, a Bishop in Nigeria has outlined other “pandemics”, which the West African country has to fight against besides COVID-19.

Jesuits in South Africa Provide Guide for Ash Wednesday Celebration “at home, in family”

Catholics who will not be going to Church for the celebration of Ash Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent have the option of marking the event at home with their family members using a guide that has been developed by members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at the Jesuit Institute South Africa.

Clergy in Zambia’s Ndola Diocese to Use "any decent leaves, branches" for Ash Wednesday

The Bishop of Zambia’s Diocese of Ndola has directed members of the Clergy in his jurisdiction to use any dried plants to prepare the Ashes that will be used at the beginning of Lent, Wednesday, February 17. 

Diocese in South Africa to Use Palm Branches “from other years” for Ash Wednesday

The Catholic Diocese of Aliwal in South Africa has a variety of options for this year’s Ash Wednesday, including getting ashes from unused previous years’ palm branches.

Clerics in Zimbabwe’s Gokwe Diocese Directed to “arrange how” to Avail Ashes to Faithful

Members of the Clergy in Zimbabwe’s Gokwe Diocese have been directed to “arrange how” to avail Ash Wednesday ashes to the faithful to bring them to their “respective homes” at the beginning of Lent, February 17.

Christians in Nigeria Hold “symbolic prayer protest” in Black, Pray for Security

As Catholics worldwide started the Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday, February 26, the Christian faithful in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, participated in a “symbolic” Prayer Protest as directed by the body of Catholic Bishops.

Catholics in Nigeria to Be in Black on Ash Wednesday “in solidarity with abducted, killed”

Against the backdrop of insecurity in Nigeria, Catholic Bishops in the West African country have resolved to have all Catholics demonstrate their solidarity with the victims of kidnappings and murder by organizing a Prayer Protest while wearing black at the start of the Lenten Season February 26.