RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Ashes in the form of a cross could be seen across the foreheads of many Catholics and Christians on March 5, marking the solemn day of Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season.
“Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, [a] 40 day season of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s death, and especially his resurrection at Easter,” said Fr. Anthony Marques, rector of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. “The Gospels tell us that at the beginning of Christ’s public ministry, the Holy Spirit drove him into the desert for 40 days. Christ was reliving or recapitulating the whole history of God’s people [with] Israel being in the desert or the wilderness, a place of temptation, but also a place of opportunity of turning toward God.
Marques explained that the ashes distributed and placed on the heads of those who wish to receive are from the burnt palms from the year prior’s Palm Sunday, symbolizing Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem and a sign of Christ’s victory according to the Book of Revelation.
Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on March 5. (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)
Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on March 5. (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)
“Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” is said when one is receiving ashes.
“We can think about the first man, Adam, being created from the dust of the earth — a reminder of our mortality and of the urgency of of conversion,” Marque said. “None of us will live forever, so, it’s important that we make every day count.”
Along with repentance and mortality comes fasting during the Lenten season.
Marques added that believers fast from the normal amount of food on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat on Fridays during the Lenten season.
Marques told 8News that denying one’s self of broader things besides food — such as social media — may also be beneficial, as many have felt freer with less pressure, distraction and anxiety.
“I think that we should look at fasting as not so much a feat of strength, but rather a way to respond to God and to be able to receive what God already wants us to have,” Marques said. “These tools of self-restraint help us to accept those good things that he would like for us to have the most important parts of life. Ultimately, what our lives are about and our destiny.”
Ash Wednesday service at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart on March 5. (Photo: Nikkita Tyler/8News)
Ashes are not restricted to Catholics and Christians of other denominations, as anyone may receive them, according to Marques. However, the receiving of ashes are particular to Ash Wednesday.
“I would like to say that it’s just the beginning of Lent,” Marques said. “There’s still plenty of time to turn away from sin in our lives, within the church, [and within] the activities of the church to turn toward God and to assist those in need.”
Notably, Catholics and Christians are not the only religious groups celebrating a holy season at this time. Muslims began observing Ramadan the evening of Friday, Feb. 28. This month of daily fasting between sunrise and sunset will end on Saturday, March 29.
At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims will then celebrate with Eid-al-Fitr — a great feast that marks the end of this holy month.
