Roman Catholics observe today the first of the 6 Sundays of Lent, 4 days after Ash Wednesday which officially ushered in the Season of Lent. Church leaders encourage the faithful to reflect, examine oneself and to go to confession in preparation for the joyous celebration of Easter. The confessional in all churches is traditionally available for longer hours during Lent to give churchgoers more opportunity to avail the Sacrament of Penance. In fine with Lenten observances and traditions in the country the faithful are also encouraged to engage in more charity and missionary work. Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urges the faithful. To do this Tagle said there are 3 disciplines by which the faithful to can return to God with their whole hearts, through alms giving, prayer and fasting. Also known as Quadragesima Sunday, which means 40th in Latin, the first Sunday of Lent signifies that there are exactly 40 days from today until Good Friday which will be observed on April 18 this year.
