Yesterday the Ash Wednesday service took place in churches and schools across the Archdiocese to mark the start of the Lenten season.
Lent is traditionally a 40-day fast — a reference to the time Jesus spent being tempted in the desert.
It is a time when we can prepare our hearts for the solemn remembrance of Jesus’ death.
It concludes and is followed by the Easter Sunday celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
The six-week period (excluding Sundays) is dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for the great celebration of Christ’s Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum.
Ash Wednesday is a penitent service that uses ash to mark the sign of the cross on the believer’s forehead, symbolising our sinful nature and need for salvation.
The Catholic Church usually uses the ashes of Palm Sunday branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service.
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