Catholics in Lagos mark Ash Wednesday as Lent begins

Описание: (18 Feb 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lagos - 18 February 2026
1. Various of ash crosses being applied to foreheads of faithful
2. Various of faithful filing past with ash on foreheads
3. Mid of ash crosses being applied to foreheads of faithful
4. Close of hands folded in prayer
5. Close of faithful with ash on forehead
6. Various of religious statues
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Geraldine Wey, Lawyer, faithful:
"We all need God at this time. If there's any time when we ever needed God, it is now. It is a time when things are difficult for people, when people are facing all kinds of challenges. So, it's a time for us to draw back to God."
8. Wide of Catholic faithful inside church
9. Mid of Very Reverend Monsignor Anthony Obanla, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Lagos, addressing congregation UPSOUND Anthony Obanla (English):
"When you fast, fast well. When you give alms, then be compassionate in your choices, and when you pray, you pray properly."
10. Mid of faithful making sign of cross
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Alberto Osuji, faithful:
"It's a reminder for reflection, for us to reflect heavily about life even if the world is very complex and ever-changing. But inasmuch as it is like that, it really doesn't change the essence. We need to come back to ourselves. Are we humans? Are we... how close is our relationship to God? How can we make those amendments? It is time to really self-reflect and take some actions, some kind of next steps, to see how we can better our relationship with God and with mankind."
12. Various of faithful singing and praying
13. Wide of interior of church during service
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Ku-Eworo, faithful:
"If we go through life and through the year and we're not reminded that we are dust and we'll get back to ash, this day serves as that reminder. It serves as that reminder, rather. And we are called to understand that this body that we have right now shall return to dust, whether we like it or not. So, it brings you back, like; it makes you realign if you have lost focus."
15. Close of faithful posing for photo with ash cross on forehead
16. Various of faithful singing
STORYLINE:
Catholics across Lagos observed Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent with prayers, reflection and the symbolic imposition of ashes in the shape of a cross on faithful's foreheads.

Churches in the city were filled with worshippers as priests applied ashes on the foreheads of faithful, a ritual that signifies repentance and mortality in Christian tradition.

The day marks the beginning of the 40-day period leading up to Easter, during which many devotees fast, abstain from certain foods, and engage in acts of charity.

The 2026 observance coincides with the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, creating a simultaneous period of fasting for the two primary religious groups in Nigeria’s most populous city.

At the Lagos Church of Assumption, congregants said this period calls for deeper reflections in a now complex world.

“It's a reminder for reflection, for us to reflect heavily about life, even if the world is very complex and ever-changing,” said Alberto Osuji, a member of the congregation.

Despite traffic and busy work schedules, many Lagos residents made time for early morning services.

Ash Wednesday is observed by millions of Christians worldwide and signals the beginning of one of the most solemn seasons in the Christian calendar.

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