The farmer’s smock and the carnival scarf can be put back in the closet for another year. After four days of fun and beer, it is Ash Wednesday in Catholic tradition. In many places in our province, ashes are distributed during special church services.
Edwin Heijkers is there early in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Lourdeskerk in Bergen op Zoom. “I have almost no voice left from singing the past few days. But for me this is part of the tradition.”
“Ramadan has made some Christians rediscover fasting.”
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent before Easter for Catholics. According to pastor Paul Verbeek, this tradition is increasingly appealing to people’s imagination. “I think this is due to the influence of Ramadan on our brothers and sisters in the Islamic faith community.”
“As a result, a number of Christians have rediscovered the deep meaning of fasting, or denying yourself things. Fasting is being able to say no. I think it is a very nice challenge to participate in it.”
Ash crosses will also be handed out in the Sint-Laurentiuskerk in Oud-Gastel on Wednesday afternoon. The cross that Pastor Maickel Prasing places on the forehead of the churchgoers is an ancient sign of penance. In addition, it is a reminder of the transience of life.
For me it means that after the carnival we have to stand with both feet on the ground again.
“For me it means that after the carnival we have to put our feet on the ground again. The Lent period therefore certainly has a valuable meaning for me,” says Gerard Akkermans, who walks out of the Lourdes Church with the cross on his forehead.
Edwin Heijkers agrees with him: “Fasting? Yes, that’s definitely important to me. Not too extensive, of course, but I certainly participate in that.”