By Courtney Mares OSV News ROME — Beneath the Roman pines of the Aventine Hill, Pope Leo XIV led a solemn penitential procession Feb. 18 to Rome’s oldest extant basilica, marking the first Ash Wednesday of his pontificate with a call for “countercultural” repentance for sins from individuals, institutions and the church itself. Priests, bishops […]
Photo: Marked with the sign of repentance
Sacred Hearts Father Richard McNally marks the forehead of parishioner Ethel Ward with ashes on the evening of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, at St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe where he is pastor. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
Photo: Germ-free ashes
Father Alfred Omar Guerrero, pastor of the Newman Center and Holy Spirit Parish at the University of Hawaii-Manoa, applies ashes to the forehead of a parishioner with a Q-tip, on Ash Wednesday, March 2 at the Newman Center. At right, Q-tips, used to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and bowls of ashes sit […]
For Lent, ask if one’s life is centered on God or oneself, pope says
By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY — Lent is a time to reconsider the path one is taking in life and to finally answer God’s invitation to return to him with one’s whole heart, Pope Francis said. “Lent is not just about the little sacrifices we make, but about discerning where our hearts […]
Photos: Ashes in a pandemic
Clockwise from far left: Students at Sacred Hearts School in Lahaina, Maui, receive ashes sprinkled on their heads during Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 17. Distributing the ashes were Missionaries of Faith Father Robert Ni Ni and Deacon Randy Kokke, a visiting deacon from California. Students receive ashes with a Q-tip at the Newman Center/Holy […]
Philippine archdiocese allows families to distribute ashes
By Catholic News Service MANILA, Philippines — An archdiocese in the Philippines will allow churchgoers to distribute ashes among family members at home to mark the beginning of Lent Feb. 17. Ucanews.com reported the Cebu Archdiocese in the central Philippines released a prayer guide Feb. 10 for the celebration of Ash Wednesday at home for […]
Photo: Receiving ashes
ASH WEDNESDAY Arie Swynenberg, a second grader at St. Elizabeth School in Aiea, receives ashes from St. Elizabeth’s parochial vicar, Father Romple Emwalu, at the school’s Ash Wednesday Mass, Feb. 26. (HCH photo |Anna Weaver) Bonus Web Photos
Photos: Signing the Book of the Elect
Oahu catechumens, also called the “elect,” seal their intention to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and first Eucharist at their parishes this Easter Vigil by signing the Book of the Elect at the Rite of Election March 1 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. The book was then presented to Bishop Larry […]
Ash Wednesday Masses cancelled in northern Italy
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME — While Ash Wednesday Masses were canceled in several northern Italian dioceses to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, bishops composed special prayers for their people and offered alternative ways to begin the celebration of Lent. Father Roberto Parisini, secretary general of the chancery of the Archdiocese of […]
Photo: Ashes to ashes
Bishop Larry Silva applies ashes to the forehead of visiting priest Father Simon Baker at the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, March 6. (HCH photos | Anna Weaver)