Ash Wednesday opens the season of Lent. The day gets its name from the blessing of the ashes from burning of Palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations. The ashes draw a cross on the forehead to mark the beginning of our Lenten fast.

Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Ashes will be blessed & distributed at 9.30am & 7.30pm

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. We focus on our relationship with God, growing as disciples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others.

Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, meaning “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Trocaire is an important element of the Lenten season is becoming aware of not only the suffering and sacrifice of Christ but also to the suffering of others. Between now and Good Friday, choose one way you can increase your giving to those in need.  Trócaire Boxes can be collected from our churches this weekend.