This Wednesday begins the lent with the imposition of ashes on the Catholic faithful, a ritual that marks the beginning of one of the most important times of the liturgical calendar that passes through the Easter and concludes with the Easter on Sunday April 9.
On this day, the Catholics who attend the masses have a cross placed on their foreheads with the ashes of the branches saved from the previous year to remind them that they are created of dust and that upon death, each body will become dust.
For 40 days, many Catholics prepare for the great resurrection party leading a life of austerity, like Christ in the desert, and during all that time penances are performed as do not eat meat on Fridays and some on Wednesdays, prayers and fasting.
The parishes prepare various activities to share with the people, such as pilgrimagesretreats, viacrucis, among others and one of the characteristics is the sacrament of reconciliation or confession of sins before presbyters or priests.
He Ash Wednesdayalso called fair IV anerum, dates back to the 4th century when the 40 days of penance and reflection were established, but it is a century later when the fasting is assumed as a Lenten practice, because before they did not fast on Sundays because it was the day dedicated to the Lord, thus it was established that the lent started on a Wednesday instead of Sunday as before.
The imposition of ashes is one of the many signs of Catholic Church and to his faithful he is reminded of the biblical passage that man comes from dust and to dust he returns, as established in the bible in the book of Genesis; he reminds him that he is a fragile being, that he has limitations.
With the ash begins the process of spiritual preparation of the Catholic for the great party that gives meaning to Christianity: Christ’s Resurrectionor on Easter Sunday, which is preceded by the Easter Vigil.
The lentand therefore the Easter, is not celebrated on the same date every year, because it is a Jewish tradition, the liturgical year is limited by the lunar cycle when Easter or “Pesaj” was celebrated, which recalls the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, which, according to the Biblical, it was the night of the full moon. For Catholics, the liturgical year begins during Advent, in November of each year.
Pagan party
Some believers and non-believers use the Easter as vacation time, mainly Thursday and Friday; to travel or rest, to enjoy nature and others to share with family and friends.
The same thing happens in many countries, forcing the authorities to take measures in public places such as beaches, rivers, amusement centers and highways.
In the Dominican Republic dozens of people die every year, mainly in accidents traffic occurred on the country’s main highways. Most of the victims are almost always motorcyclists.
Gastronomy
Beans with sweet is one of the traditional dishes of the Easter and although many are accustomed to do it Ash Wednesday, its highest consumption is on Good Friday. That day many Catholics do not eat meat, but fish, cod and other foods.
The traditional Moor of pigeon peas is not lacking on Good Friday in many Dominican homes and in each region they have their custom, for example, in San Juan the consumption of chenchén increases, but in many cases without the usual stewed goat meat.
