Ash Wednesday

This morning we all gathered in Church for Mass and received ashes to begin our Lenten observance. It was solemn and our superior presided. He also preached a short sermon. Then most of us skipped breakfast in order to start our fasting.

Fr Praveen and I decided to fast absolutely for the whole day. He went to school for classes and I went to S. Saviour's for several meetings and then off to work. But my feet and knees were pretty swollen, and I was absolutely exhausted from the past 3 days non stop work. So I nearly fainted twice on the street. Had to telephone for help - someone to pick me up with the car. In the office I had several blackouts - no, it wasn't from the fasting but from the exhaustion.

Anyway I met up with Praveen at 4pm. He had a cup of tea to settle his hunger, but I had half a glass of lemonade as my throat was parched - I didn't drink any water the whole day. Strangely I didn't feel any hunger by the end of day and for dinner I only had a stick of carrot and a bowl of soul. So I did pretty good actually. Praveen had to go back to school in the evening and then to Tel Aviv to celebrate Mass for the Indian community.

So all that fasting was for all of you - didn't forget praying for you all today. Remember: Lent is holy only when you are.