February 21, 2012: Catholics of India’s two Oriental rites yesterday observed
Ash Monday on February 20 to mark the beginning of lent. Lent for the Syro Malabar
and Syro Malankara Churches last 10 days more than what Latin rite Catholics and Protestant
Christians observe. Even though the Church laws do not stipulate abstention from
meat and fish on all days of Lent, especially on Sundays, Oriental Christians abstain
from meat, fish and alcohol throughout Lent voluntarily. These Catholics are part
of seven mainstream Christian Churches in Kerala that trace the origins of their faith
to Saint Thomas the Apostle. Oriental Catholics attended churches in large numbers
on the first day of Lent. The ceremony includes a penitential Mass in which the priest
makes the sign of the cross with ashes on the forehead of each Catholic. Traditionally,
Lent in Eastern Churches begins on the seventh Monday before Easter.