ASH WEDNESDAY: Lent Begins with the Ancient Ritual

Bishop Tod D. Brown Will Anoint the Faithful at Holy Family Cathedral

ORANGE, CA - (February 17, 2012) – Catholics and other Christians the world over will soon begin Lent with Ash Wednesday services. Lent is a time to prepare for the Church’s most important liturgical event, Easter, and the commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ.

As in all local Catholic Churches throughout the Diocese of Orange, The Most Rev. Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange will celebrate Ash Wednesday with Mass at Holy Family Cathedral (566 South Glassell Street, Orange), Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 8:15 a.m.

Ash Wednesday recognizes the start of the Lenten season, a 40 day period that anticipates and prepares Catholics for the Church’s most important celebration – Easter. Palm fronds saved from prior Palm Sunday celebrations are burned and the blessed ashes are used to mark the foreheads of the faithful. Many Catholics will proudly wear their ashes the entire day as a sign of their faith and as a reminder of an ancient ritual. Their ashes signify to themselves and others the message of the Risen Christ.

“It is important to focus on more than denial during Lent. I, along with my fellow priests, encourage Catholics to dedicate themselves to positive acts of contribution throughout the Lenten season and beyond. While abstinence and penance have become the historical hallmarks of Lent, this season provides us the opportunity to do something positive in anticipation of Easter and its important message of redemption,” said Bishop Brown.

For historical information concerning Ash Wednesday and the creation of ashes, go to:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/lent/

A full schedule of parish Ash Wednesday celebrations is available at individual parish websites: http://www.rcbo.org/parishes.html

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