Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Bea Cuadra

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771373896042Screen Shot 2026-02-18 at 8.16.41 AM_cropped_processed_by_imagy (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Catholic faithful filled the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, popularly known as Quiapo Church, early Wednesday morning to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Catholic faithful filled the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, popularly known as Quiapo Church, early Wednesday morning to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/17/-rediscovery-of-silence-cbcp-urges-faithful-to-do-digital-media-fasting-for-lent-1357">&#x27;Rediscovery of silence&#x27;: CBCP urges faithful to do &#x27;digital media fasting&#x27; for Lent</a></div><p>Long lines of devotees formed to participate in the traditional imposition of ashes on the forehead.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1835358403834403%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div><p>For many devotees, Ash Wednesday is more than just a religious obligation; it is a deeply personal tradition passed down through generations.</p><p>Ace Castro, who traveled all the way from Binangonan, Rizal, was among the first in line.</p><p>He explained that his devotion began in his childhood. </p><p>&quot;Nung bata pa po kasi ako, dito ako lagi dinadala ng lola ko kaya nasasanay na ako na dito pumunta,&quot; Castro shared.</p><p>For him, the day carries a heavy significance for his faith.</p><p>&quot;Dito na kasi nagsisimula ang Kuwaresma natin... paggalang sa ating Panginoon... kaya lagi ako nagpapalagay ng [abo sa noo] simula pa noong bata ako.&quot;</p><p>Aldrin Obis, a devotee from Pasay, reflected on the symbolic meaning of the ashes, noting the Church’s teachings.</p><p>&quot;Yung sa pagkakaalam ko, ayon sa turo ng simbahan, tayo’y nagmula sa abo at bandang huli, babalik din tayo sa abo,&quot; Obis said.</p><p>Beyond Ash Wednesday, the faithful are also preparing for the 40-day period of prayer, penance, and fasting. </p><p>Obis highlighted the specific sacrifices he intends to observe throughout Lent, emphasizing spiritual practices and the traditional abstinence from meat.</p><p>&quot;Unang-una, kailangan natin magsimba, mag-rosaryo, at may mga kailangan sundin na bawal tayong kumain ng mga karne; kailangan mag-sacrifice para kay Ama,&quot; he added.</p><p>To accommodate the massive influx of people throughout the day, Quiapo Church has organized a continuous schedule of masses.</p><p>Services are held every hour from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. </p><p>For those heading to the basilica later in the day, afternoon masses are scheduled for 12:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., while the final two services will be held at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jy_ZFMPrKok?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>For many devotees, Ash Wednesday is more than just a religious obligation; it is a deeply personal tradition passed down through generations.</p>

For many devotees, Ash Wednesday is more than just a religious obligation; it is a deeply personal tradition passed down through generations.

Faithful flock to Quiapo as Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday

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Faithful flock to Quiapo as Lenten Season begins on Ash Wednesday

Bea Cuadra,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 18, 2026 08:20 AM PHT

|

Updated February 18, 2026 08:38 AM PHT

Read More:

Ash Wednesday

Lenten Season

Quiapo Church

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