18/02/2026
๐ฆ๐๐จ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐ ๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐๐๐ต ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
The Saint Louis University (SLU) community welcomed the Lenten Season with a meaningful Ash Wednesday Celebration at the SLU Saint Aloysius Gonzaga Parish.
The Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Emery Mwako Ebumea, CICM, and concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, Rev. Fr. Ronald Magbanua, CICM, and Rev. Fr. Frans Fandy Palinoan.
In his homily, Fr. Mwako invited the congregation to pause and return to the Lord, emphasizing that Lent is a sacred season of deep listening and authentic fasting. Drawing from the messages of Pope Leo XIV and Most Rev. Bishop Rafael Cruz, D.D., Fr. Mwako called us to listen attentively to three essential voices:
First is the Word of God, second, the voice of our conscience, and third is the cry of the poor. Adding that in this season, our mission is to hear the voice of God, the voices of others, and the cry of the poor.
Fr. Mwako further explained that true fasting goes beyond abstinence from foodโit means turning away from sin. Echoing Bishop Cruz, he summarized our Lenten pilgrimage: "Lent is not merely about sacrifices but about transformation. It is a journey from ashes to Easter, from repentance to renewal, from the cross to the joy of the Resurrection."
Lastly, Fr. Mwako invited the congregation that this season of Lent calls us to profound transformation and conversion.
An Ash Wednesday Mass was also held at the SLU- Sacred Heart Medical Center lobby, presided over by Rev. Fr. Emanuel Enjang Pranatal, CICM.
Written by: Faith Dol-as
Photos by: Francine Estacio & Alfreana Blanza
