About Today – Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me” (Ps 51:10-11). [1]

The Psalmist’s earnest prayer eloquently expresses the importance of this holy day. As we enter into the Lenten season, we are encouraged by the annual opportunity to renew our lives, moving towards God’s holy throne. [2]

As we receive ashes, we hear “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”. In the next 40 days, we seek out ways to purify our hearts, deepen our understanding, and strengthen our spirits. The Church encourages us to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving; so we, too, can share deeply in the Passion and rise with our Lord, Christ Jesus at Easter. May we trust in God’s eternal goodness, in our Lord’s mercy and grace, and in the Holy Spirit’s ability to comfort and guide us. [3]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Revised Standard Version, s.v. “Psalms, Book of.”
[2] Blessed John Paul II, Homily, March 8, 2000.
[3] Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved