Eucharistic Minister Rudy J. Blaize serves a member communion at the Ash Wednesday mass at the St. Williams Catholic Church on February 13, 2013. Photo: VINO

Members of St. Williams Catholic Church lined up for communion. Photo: VINO

Fr Walter M. Mendonca S.V.D delivering the message at the Ash Wednesday mass. Photo: VINO

A group of male members of the St. Williams Catholic Church poses for photograph following Ash Wednesday mass today, February 13, 2013. Photo: VINO

Ash Wednesday heralds in the Lent season and across the Territory and worldwide Roman Catholics congregated at various places of worship. Virgin Islands News Online stopped by the St. Williams Catholic Church for the noon ceremony.

Lent is the season of grace, Fr Walter M. Mendonca S.V.D. said in delivering the sermon, adding that the church provides the opportunities to remind followers of where they are at the moment as it relates to the journey to heaven. “Have we gone astray, are we on the road or are we lagging behind? So this is the time to reflect not only the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus but also to reflect on our own lives.”

He challenged believers that if they are gone away from the path of the Lord, having strayed away from his teaching, then this is the time to turn back. He noted as children of the most high they are called to live for God. “This body will go to the dust but our soul will continue to live beyond death and for this we should take precaution and make every effort to live a holy life,” said the Priest.

Following the sermon, this news agency sought comments from believers on the significance of the Lent season and all said that that it’s a season to free themselves of unholy thoughts and seek the favour of the almighty.

Brother Kamillo E. D’costa recognizes the period of Lent as one for the repentance of sins. “Ash Wednesday is when to start something new in your life, the bad things you might have done you have to repent on that.”

“Ash Wednesday means a lot to my life because it’s a time of repentance and to get closer to God and to ask him to help you in making your life in a better way and living a better life with people around you because we are living in difficult times were we are under a lot of pressure,” said Sister Athena A. Stanley.  

Asked for his opinion on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI who held his final Mass today in Rome, Fr Walter M. Mendonca S.V.D. said that he felt the pope did make the right decision given his age and physical ability. “He was close to pole John Paul and he saw his sufferings and the difficulties he had in executing his duties.” He said too that Pope John Paul was very feeble and had to be aided during his time to carry out his function.

“It was even hard for persons to simply understand what he had to say so I guess Pope Benedict was aware of that and didn’t not want to subject himself to such a thing and so he made the right decision,” said Fr Walter M. Mendonca S.V.D.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Eucharistic Minister Bro. Rudy J Blaize. “I think we as human beings always look at the human side of people, we don’t look at the spiritual side of people as we should.” The minister added that the pope was of the opinion that he could not physically carry out the responsibility as pope effectively. “So I believe he thinks the best thing for him is to retire and let someone who is more capable, physically and mentally to carry on the job and I think that’s the way we should look at it,” said the minister.