Ash Wednesday Begins Tomorrow
Ash Wednesday means only one thing. It is the beginning of spiritual reflection, fasting and a moment of prayer for the whole Christendom all over the world. Tomorrow, February 22, 2012, Catholic churches will celebrate this very sanctified ceremony to signify the start of the 40 days of the Lenten Season commemorating the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ to save mankind. Meanwhile, the said Lenten celebration will culminate on the 8th of April this year. For those of you who are not aware of the fact how this ash is made, well it comes from the blessed palm leaves from the previous Lenten celebration. After it has been turned into ashes, they are marked on the foreheads of the parishioners or churchgoers.
Ash Wednesday 2012
The Holy Significance of The Cross-Shaped Ash
The cross-shaped ash that is marked on the parishioners forehead every Ash Wednesday symbolizes contrition and penance. As far as the essence of this holy ritual is concerned, this holy conduct reminds everyone of sin and how each of us must strive to avoid it, and as a Christian we must constantly care and show our love to other people, especially the poor, the sick and the oppressed.
Ash Wednesday will be celebrated tomorrow in the following churches with their respective schedules. Here are just a few of the local Ash Wednesday events that will be held Wednesday:
- St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church will have the following services: 7 a.m. in the church located on the corner of Park Avenue and York Street; 8:30 p.m. at St. Angela Hall, noon at the hall; and 5:30 p.m. at the hall. A Spanish mass will be held at 6 p.m. at the church.
- Ebenezer Church of Nazarene located at 154 Fabian Drive Aiken, will hold a prayer meeting Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church located at 125 Pendleton St., S.W. will hold its Ash Wednesday services at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- All Saints Anglican Parish in Aiken will hold services beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the Imposition of Ashes followed by the Holy Eucharist.
- First Presbyterian Church, at 224 Barnwell Ave. N.W., will hold its Ash Wednesday worship service at 7 p.m.
- St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, located at 471 West Martintown Road, North Augusta, will hold its traditional service at 10 a.m. and a child-friendly service at 6:30 p.m.
- USC Aiken will hold an Ash Wednesday event at noon at the Student Activity Center’s Banksia Room. It will be led by the Rev. Peter Clarke of Our Lady of the Valley.
In other developments, the Ash Wednesday for the HuffPost Religion is gladly welcoming everyone the opportunity to walk in holiness with the Lord in an online community of pilgrims throughout this Holy Season of spiritual growth and renewal. To make the celebration of Lent holier and lively, the HuffPost will be updating their live blog, from time to time.
Among the online activities of HuffPost for Ash Wednesday are the following: scripture lessons and reflections, hymns and prayers, gospel music, poetry, charitable ideas and a lot more. On the other hand, comments of encouragement are also welcome to be shared by online participants to commemorate the season of Lent.
Category: Events