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Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the holy season of Lent, is February 17. The Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Thomas Dowd, is inviting Catholics across Northern Ontario to celebrate Ash Wednesday this year, regardless if churches are permitted to reopen in time.
“We do not want to let the COVID-19 pandemic to get in the way of this important day” said Bishop Dowd, “Ash Wednesday remains a very popular day of devotion among
Catholics.”
Ash Wednesday takes place February 17 and is the beginning of the Christian period of Lent which marks 40 days of prayer, fasting and charitable works leading to the
resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. The ashes, usually marked by tracing a cross on the forehead, are meant to publicly signify the spiritual journey Christians begin together on this day.
With churches hoping to reopen next week in time for this celebration, there are still capacity restrictions in place and parishioners who are hesitant to return right away. “I
want to make sure everyone has the chance to participate in this day” said Bishop Dowd, “so, our churches will provide the option to celebrate Ash Wednesday at home.”
After the ashes are blessed by a priest at each Catholic parish on Ash Wednesday, parishioners are welcome to take home a small container of the blessed ashes along with
a short prayer service to pray together with their family or those in their household. The short prayer service includes short readings from the Bible, and instructions on how to distribute the ashes.
“Making sure everyone is included and encouraging our families to pray together on this holy day is quite significant” explained Bishop Dowd, “it’s an opportunity for families to begin Lent together, to share with one another the importance of this time of year.” While the pandemic has presented difficulties and challenges for many people, Bishop Dowd expresses the hope that is found in the season of Lent: “When we set aside time to grow in faith, especially in the time we are in, we begin to see God’s boundless love for each one of us, despite the personal challenges we are facing.”
“Ash Wednesday for our family is the day where we know we are starting Lent, and we’re trying to take on a new rhythm of prayer, a new rhythm of life, really” said Jessica
Fournier, a parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church in North Bay, “so to be able to have this option to still celebrate Ash Wednesday even though not everyone can be at
church will be special for us.” The preparation and distribution of the ashes and prayer service will follow public health regulations.
“There may be the case where someone can’t get to their church on Ash Wednesday, or maybe even learns of this a little late,” Bishop Dowd adds, “so I am giving permission to celebrate the distribution of ashes at any time until the end of February, so as many people can participate as possible.”
Catholics are encouraged to check with their nearest Catholic church to see available times to attend Mass or to pick up the blessed ashes and prayer service on Ash
Wednesday. For more information, to see a copy of the prayer service, or to watch a tutorial video, visit: www.dioceseofsaultstemarie.org
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