ICC Note:
Christians in India started observing the season of Lent today with fasting, prayer, and repentance. This season comes at a time when Christians in India are facing growing persecution. Radical Hindu nationalist groups have been emboldened since the election of the current BJP government and attacks on Christians and their places of worship have skyrocketed over the past three years. With Lent being a season where Christians are more visible, will more attacks happen? 
03/01/2017 India (Times of India) – The 40 days of fasting, repentance and prayer begins as Christians across the city observe Lent. Christians will usher in the season of Lent from Wednesday, which is observed as Ash Wednesday. On this day, the foreheads of every Christian will be smeared with ash, which is a reminder that everyone will someday return to dust. “On Ash Wednesday we sign the foreheads of all Catholics with a cross using ash.
The Bible states that `You are dust and to dust you shall return’. We remind every individual that at the end everyone will take only their good deeds with them and not their acquired wealth,” said Fr. Michael Pinto, a priest from St. John the Baptist Church.
Traditionally, people used to abstain from just non-veg food and sweets, but now they are staying away from other addictive things too like Facebook and WhatsApp. This is the time when Christians immerse themselves in prayer and penance.
Shaju Anthony, member of Vartak Nagar’s St. Thomas Church, said, “While we still abstain from eating non-veg food and other delicacies during Lent, we need to focus on giving up on other addictions too. Social media and WhatsApp have become a major part of our lives. Some have even got addicted to it. People across all age groups have become addicted to it. So, I have decided to give up these things for 40 days. Besides, I will be taking part in the prayer services that have been organized by the church during Lent.” While some have decided to abstain from things they love doing, there are many others who have taken up social causes to help the society.
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