A multitude of worshipers flocked at Sto. Cristo Mission Church in Brgy. Dapdap, Legazpi City, lining up eagerly, awaiting their turn to receive their solemn mark of ashes in observance of Ash Wednesday.
Notably, this fervent gathering is celebrated on a day that usually resonates with romantic sentiments—Valentine’s Day.
The juxtaposition of these two events added a unique layer of significance to the proceedings, creating a setting where both the sacred and the worldly aspects of love converged.
As each person received the ashes in the shape of a cross, there was a collective understanding that this sacred ritual was not merely a symbol but a challenge—one that calls for a transformation in the way love is understood and expressed—an invitation to love as God does, unconditionally and with an unwavering commitment to others. I Kian Kirby Florano
Photos: Sto. Cristo Mission Curch