Marking the first day of Lent, Catholic and other Christian churches across the nation observed Ash Wednesday with specially scheduled services on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Immediately preceded by Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday occurs annually exactly six and a half weeks before Easter and serves as a reminder for believers’ need to reconcile with God.
“It’s so we can prepare our hearts, our minds and our bodies to encounter the Lord in a greater way this coming Easter,” said Rev. Jacob Almeter of The Most Holy Trinity Trinity Catholic Church. “It’s about spiritually stretching your heart by giving up certain things that will help you be more focused in your prayer or relationship with the Lord.”
Comparing Ash Wednesday to a pre-workout routine for a more effective and smooth session, Almeter said the day acted as an official start of the penitential Lenten season.
“It commemorates the 40 days and 40 nights that Jesus spent in the desert, where he fasted and prayed, and was tempted by the devil,” said Almeter. “So it’s preparation for the holiest season in the Catholic Church, and really the whole faith, to celebrate Easter.”
Commonly observed with the distribution of ashes and fasting, Ash Wednesday involves scattered services, or masses, where priests and bishops spread ceremonial ashes on attendees’ foreheads in the shape of a cross.
“It’s a sign of dying to yourself. Ashes are nothing, it’s dust … it’s pretty much worthless,” said Almeter. “So, it’s a reminder to all of us that humanity came from Earth and dust – that we are nothing without God. That’s what the symbol of the cross means – that He died for us.”
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Although Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, mass on this day is traditionally one of the most heavily attended non-Sunday masses of the liturgical year, according to an article from Britannica.
“It’s about spiritually stretching your heart by giving up certain things that will help you be more focused in your prayer or relationship with the Lord,” said Almeter.
As the receiving of ashes is not part of the religion’s seven sacraments, also known as faith based rituals, churches allow any attendee to accept them, regardless of religion, age or personal standing in the church.
According to Almeter, ashes are spread in different areas depending on the country.
“Other countries might sprinkle it on top of their head,” he said. “There are some different traditions people do.”
Following Ash Wednesday, Lent requires Catholics to abstain from meat on Fridays during the season.
Hosting a 9 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. mass for Ash Wednesday, The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church invited several community members to partake in the annual tradition side-by-side.
Created from palm branches collected from last year’s Palm Sunday service, Almeter said some churches create the ceremonial ashes by burning dried palm branches to remember Jesus’ peaceful arrival to Jerusalem.
Below is a video from Almeter’s Instagram of Ash Wednesday preparation.
Those that do not create the ashes themselves typically order them, but all are still made from palm branches, according to Almeter.
“It’s to remind us that Jesus, the messiah, came in peace,” he said. “So, it’s in commemoration of Jesus’ coming and it reminds us to keep him at the center of our life.”
As locals exited the church with ash crosses on their forehead, Almeter said some tend to immediately wipe off their forehead’s cross, but they should instead wear it devotedly until the end of the day.
“It’s a form of penitence, because it can be embarrassing to walk around with ash on your forehead, especially if you go to a service in the morning,” Almeter said. “But it’s a sign that you’re willing to do this because you love the Lord.”
The Most Holy Trinity Trinity Catholic Church, located at 720 Telfair St., will host an Easter vigil in exactly 46 days to end Lent, and holds a mass every Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
For more information about The Most Holy Trinity Trinity Catholic Church, visit: https://themostholytrinity.org/.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
