Thread by @paterno_II

LOOK: At the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Archbishop Socrates Villegas leads the 8 am Ash Wednesday Mass.

For the first time in two years, with the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions, ash is traced on foreheads again @rapplerdotcom

📸 Saint John the Evangelist Cathedral

Archbishop Socrates Villegas explains that Lent – the first day of which is Ash Wednesday – means "spring" in German. "It is springtime especially for Europe. In the Philippines, it is summer" @rapplerdotcom

Archbishop Villegas: Lent is springtime for the soul.... It is sacrifice, yes. It is prayer, yes. It is charity, yes. But the soul flourishes. The soul is refreshed during the season of Lent @rapplerdotcom

Archbishop Villegas the second meaning of Lent can be derived from Latin word "lente," which means "slowly." "If you have been moving very fast, during the season of Lent, slowly walk." @rapplerdotcom

Archbishop Villegas: 'Yung pagtakbo natin nang sobrang tulin, pare-pareho naman tayo ng pupuntahan, we end up tired with life, fatigued, exhausted. The Lenten season is also a time to slow down and to appreciate the breeze, family, friends we have ignored @rapplerdotcom

Archbishop Villegas says the third meaning of Lent is from the past tense of the English word "lend." "Lent is also a time to remember that everything we have is borrowed, and God is the big lender." @rapplerdotcom

Villegas on Ash Wednesday: (God) has lent us so much, but there will be a time when we have to return what we have borrowed.... That time will be a day when we remember, "You are dust, and unto dust you shall return." @rapplerdotcom

Archbishop Villegas: Lent is springtime, Lent is time to go slowly, Lent is time to remember everything is borrowed and you have to return what you have borrowed. But you must return it cheerfully, with abundance @rapplerdotcom