Christians were yesterday called upon to engage in charity work during the Lent period.

The call was made by Father Charles Ntabyera during Ash Wednesday prayers at Regina Pacis Catholic Parish in Remera Sector.

Father Ntabyera reminded the congregation that, Lent is a season of 40 days of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares Christians in various denominations for Easter Sunday, which marks the resurrection of Jesus.

"You need to observe it by focusing on repenting and consecrating oneself, helping the needy, in recognition of love and the ransom for sin paid by Jesus Christ on the Cross.

"We also encourage christians to do charity acts like visiting patients, and   helping the poor in their community,” he said.

Christians were smeared with ash on their foreheads in the shape of the cross accompanied with the words:  "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” "repent and believe in the gospel.”

 This practice is common among Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and some Baptist denominations.

Constantin Tuyishimire, a member of the Catholic Church, said that, as a Christian, he honours this season and plans to observe it by praying and doing charity work.

Anglican Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo of Gahini Diocese told The New Times that Lent season should be an opportunity to walk and act likes Jesus Christ.

Smearing of ash is a ritual rooted in ceremonies from past ages.

Traditionally, christians who had committed grave offences performed public penance.

 On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous years.

 The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday (Thursday before Easter) after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days’ penance and sacramental absolution.

 Afterwards, Christians, both public and secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion.

 In earlier times, the distribution of ash was followed by a penitential procession.

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