CBCP president appeals to Catholics to observe Lenten season

MANILA, Philippines - Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday appealed to Catholics to renew their relationship with the Lord during this 40-day season of Lent.

In an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas, Palma said he is hoping that Catholics would observe the tradition during the Lenten season that officially starts today, Ash Wednesday.

“We all know that we are all weak as human beings and that we have shortcomings. But we are always given a chance to be renewed. I hope that this season of Lent would bring forth internal renewal,” said Palma.

He added that one of the most important activities to do during this religious observation is to reflect on the great love of God for his people.

“This would link with the Paschal Triduum, the celebration of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter vigil. Hopefully, we will be renewed, especially in our appreciation of dignity as children of God.”

Ash Wednesday commemorates the 40 days of fasting that Jesus endured in the desert before he began his public ministry.

During Ash Wednesday, it is the traditional practice of a priest or lay minister to place ash on the forehead of a Catholic to demonstrate humility before God, a sign of repentance for past sins and reflect on the changes needed in one’s life in order to become a true Christian.

At this time, many Catholics would also start the period of prayer and fasting.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez, chairman of the CBCP Public Affairs Committee, believes that the faithful should practice acts of charity during the observance of Lent.

“We should perform acts of charity by showing concern for others, especially those whom we have forgotten in our lives, forgotten by society. May this celebration deepen our faith,” he added.

He also encouraged everyone to participate in the Alay Kapwa, the act of giving that is one of the activities during Lent.

Meanwhile, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas issued yesterday a circular in his Archdiocese instructing local priests to start using the new English version of the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father).

Adopting the new version of the Lord’s Prayer was in preparation for the changes in the English translation of the Roman Missal of year 2010.

“Following our pastoral decision to slowly implement the changes in the English translation of the Roman Missal of 2010, so as not to overwhelm our Catholic faithful with too many changes in the liturgy of the Church by the first Sunday of Advent this year, we shall proceed with our catechesis on the changes in the formula of the Lord’s Prayer,” said Villegas.

The new version of the Lord’s Prayer is: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

The new version of the prayer would also be used even to pray the rosary, invocations and similar situations.

He asked the priests under the archdiocese “to guide our Catholic faithful in the proper understanding and implementation of these changes.”

They would teach the other changes in the Roman Missal at another time.

Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said slight changes in the prayer should be made to keep the language updated.

“The English language is being updated while the Latin language is not replaced because it does not change but the translation, in whatever language, is a living language, it is used and it evolved that is why every year, now and then, there is a need to make changes so that we get the exact sense of the Latin text,” Cruz explained.

He added that it is the Congregation for Liturgy based in Rome that decides if any change in the prayers is needed.