Ash Wednesday: A Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Charity

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 marked the beginning of the holy season of Lent. At Holy Cross Cathedral, Honiara, Solomon Islands, the faithful joined thousands around the world in observing Ash Wednesday with prayer and reflection.

Holy Cross Cathedral celebrated four Masses throughout the day. The 8:30am Mass was also the opening Mass for Bishop Epalle Catholic School for the 2026 academic year, and all were welcome to attend.

Archbishop Christopher M. Cardone OP with Deacon Levi, Fr. James Ere’ai, altar servers, and dancers after Ash Wednesday Mass at Holy Cross Cathedral

The Holy Mass was presided over by Archbishop Christopher M. Cardone, OP, assisted by Fr. James Ere’ai and Deacon Levi. The liturgy was lively and spirit-filled, led beautifully by Bishop Epalle Catholic School.

In his homily, the Archbishop reminded the faithful that Ash Wednesday begins the sacred season of Lent — 40 days and 40 nights of preparation for Easter. Across the world, millions of Christians and people of goodwill receive ashes as a sign of repentance and a desire to prepare their hearts for the glorious celebration of the Resurrection at Easter.

Reflecting on the readings of the day, the Archbishop shared that the Church calls us to three important spiritual practices during Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

He encouraged everyone to deepen their prayer life to attend Mass, participate in community prayer, pray at home and in schools, join the Stations of the Cross, and spend time in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Speaking about fasting, he reminded the faithful that fasting is not about losing weight, but about making space for Jesus in our hearts and minds. Through fasting, we learn discipline and allow God to fill us with the grace we need to love, honor, and serve Him.

The Archbishop also emphasized almsgiving and works of charity. Lent calls us not only to feel concern for the poor, sick, and suffering, but to take action. We are called to be men and women of compassion to visit the sick, help those in need, care for people with special needs, and serve others with love.

He explained the meaning of the ashes placed on our foreheads. The ashes come from the blessed palms of the previous Palm Sunday. They remind us that we are human, we fall, we fail, and we are sinners. Yet the sign of the cross traced with ashes also reminds us that we are sinners who have a Savior, Jesus Christ.

The ashes remind us that we need God’s mercy, forgiveness, and help. They call us to repentance and to believe in the Gospel.

The Mass continued with the imposition of ashes, as the words were spoken: "Repent and believe in the gospel."

The Celebration then continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist and concluded with the Final blessing.

As the Church begins this Lenten journey, the faithful are invited to walk closely with the Lord, grow in holiness, and prepare their hearts for Easter.