Each year, six local churches of different Christian denominations offer community Lenten worship services or luncheons.
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At 7 p.m. all are invited to attend JMU’s Catholic Campus Ministries Ash Wednesday mass at Wilson Hall.
It is a method to reach a greater number of people on the day devout Christians wear ashes on foreheads.
The Church of the Messiah Episcopal church will offer ashes this Ash Wednesday from 6 to 6:45 a.m. outside the Dunkin’ Donuts on Route 206 and from 8 to 9:30 a.m. outside the Starbucks in the Chester Springs Shopping Center on the other side of Route 206.
The Church of England does not have fixed rules for fasting and Anglicans are free to choose what they will give up during Lent.
This year’s Ash Wednesday falls on February 10, ahead of Easter March on March 27.
Over the next 40 days, many Christians will reflect, pray and fast to be spiritually prepared to celebrate Easter Sunday. “I think that’s a lovely way to start this season of Lent, a handsome way to start praying and to start giving to those who are less fortunate and to just deprive ourselves a little bit so that we can better bind our sacrifice to the sacrifice of Christ who was redemptive on the cross”.
Ash Wednesday masses will be held across the viewing area- including at St. Louis Cathedral. “Go in peace”, the ministers at St. Benedict said to each person after putting ashes on the forehead. At 12:05 p.m., there will be a service of Imposition of Ashes and Communion at Good Shepherd.
Some exceptions apply especially for people who are ill, frail or pregnant which also includes breastfeeding mothers. It’s pretty handy too, since experts say if you quit for four weeks, you’re more likely to quit for good.
Van Parys points out not only are the ashes used to start Lent, but Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstinence.
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall returnRepent, and believe in the Gospel.
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