Ash Wednesday Archives

Utah teacher apologizes for Ash Wednesday incident

Associated Press, Church in the US
Mar 12, 2019

A Utah teacher on administrative leave apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead, saying it was a misunderstanding.

Utah teacher forces student to wash off Ash Wednesday cross

Associated Press, Church in the US
Mar 8, 2019

A teacher in the predominantly Mormon state of Utah was placed on administrative leave after she forced a Catholic student to wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead.

Earthly pleasures fade ‘like dust in the wind,’ pope says launching Lent

Vatican
Mar 6, 2019

On Wednesday Pope Francis kicked off the Lenten season sending a reminder to Christians that earthly pleasures, while seemingly important, will fade “like dust in the wind,” and as such, the penitential season is a reminder to focus on what is truly important.

Don’t dread Lent, but make the best of its 40 days

Catholic News Service, Church in the US
Mar 6, 2019

Long, orange flames consumed the palms Massgoers had brought in to Washington’s Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land March 3 to burn ceremonially before the noontime crowd that gathered for their last Sunday Mass before Lent.

Catholic youth learn significance of ashes in fiery Lenten tradition

Catholic News Service, Church in the US
Mar 5, 2019

Church tradition prescribes ashes used on this day be made from the palm branches blessed on Palm Sunday. By involving children in the process of creating these ashes, the staff of St. Bartholomew parish in Columbus, Indiana hoped the young people would better understand the rich symbolism contained in the tradition.

Ghanaian bishops seek prayer as nation celebrates independence, Lent

Catholic News Service, Church in Africa
Mar 4, 2019

This year’s Lent has special significance because Ash Wednesday, March 6, marks the celebration of Ghana’s 62nd anniversary of independence, said the Ghana Bishops’ Conference.