On March 5, 2025, the students of IFAK Don Bosco marked the beginning of Lent by receiving ashes on their foreheads as a sign of repentance for sins and a symbol of humility before God. The students have been entrusted with the mission to pray, practice self-denial, and help those in need during this sacred season.
Lent is a 40-day period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. It serves as a time of spiritual preparation to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter.
The Ash Wednesday Mass at IFAK Don Bosco was presided over by Rev. Father Ntirenganya Jean Bosco, the Principal of the institution. Both students and teachers attended the mass, coming together to reflect on the significance of Lent and its call to conversion.
In his homily, Rev. Father Ntirenganya emphasized that the purpose of Lent is to give up certain things, particularly by practicing self-denial. He explained, “When a person manages to give up things that constantly attract them such as food, drinks, speech, or certain actions they are training themselves to overcome temptations used by the devil to lead us away from God.”
He further elaborated that everything the devil uses comes in the form of something seemingly good. Therefore, Lent is a time to turn back to God and develop self-mastery, enabling individuals to resist the temptations that Satan places in their path.
Rev. Father Ntirenganya concluded by stating, “Self-denial instills in us the power and capacity to confront and overcome anything that prevents us from drawing closer to God.”
Through this Lenten season, the students and staff of IFAK Don Bosco are encouraged to deepen their faith through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, preparing their hearts for the joyous celebration of Easter.
