The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of Catholics in Rarotonga as they joined millions of faithful followers around the world yesterday to mark Ash Wednesday, celebrating the start of the Lent season.

A special mass was held at the Avarua Cathedral to mark the occasion where hundreds including children and staff from Nukutere College and St Joseph’s Primary School attended.

Bishop Reynaldo Bunyi Getalado led several masses – they were to open the Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

Ash is a day of fasting, and is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It occurs 46 days (40 fasting days) before Easter and can fall as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. 

According to Bishop Getalado, the ashes symbolise the dust from which God used to create mankind.

“It's a season where we try to prepare ourselves for the Easter celebration and the highlights in the Holy Week,” he said.

“We are spiritually journeying so that we are worthy for the celebration on Easter and as I said, Jesus resurrected on Easter. We are in a journey towards better character, better person, a better Christians.”