VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — Thousands of Catholic faithful in Bukidnon demonstrated their devotion by braving evening rains to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.
On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, parishioners filled the San Agustin Parish Church in Valencia City for the observance of Ash Wednesday. Despite intermittent showers brought by the prevailing easterlies, long lines formed both inside and outside the church as people waited to receive ashes on their foreheads.
Key Highlights of the Observance:
- The “A.S.H.” Principle: During the homily, the presiding priest introduced the acronym A.S.H. to guide the faithful through the 40-day season:
- Almsgiving
- Sacrifice
- Holiness
- Symbolism of Repentance: The traditional imposition of ashes was accompanied by the reminder, “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” symbolizing humility and the call to spiritual renewal.
- Call to Action: Church leaders urged the community to observe Lent not just through rituals, but through tangible acts of charity, fasting, and prayer leading up to Easter.
The event in Bukidnon mirrored similar large-scale turnouts in other parts of the country, including Bohol, where thousands also gathered to mark the onset of Lent. The season serves as a time of spiritual preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.