The marking of ashes on the foreheads of Catholic faithful signals the start of the penitential season of Lent, which this year began on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14, and culminates with the Easter Triduum, Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday, March 30-April 1. Bishop Larry Silva, shown here in purple liturgical vestments traditional for Lent, celebrated […]
Lent is time to notice God’s work, receive God’s mercy, pope says
By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service ROME — Lent is a time for Christians to get their hearts in sync with the heart of Jesus, Pope Francis said. “Let the Lord heal the wounds of sin and fulfill the prophecy made to our fathers: ‘A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit […]
Bishop Silva: Ash Wednesday/Valentine’s Day
Here is a statement by Bishop Larry Silva regarding Valentine’s Day falling on the first day of Lent. In anticipation of possible requests for a dispensation from penitential fast and abstinence on Ash Wednesday because it is also Valentine’s Day, I think it is most important for us as Catholics to observe the beginning of […]
Soup? No dessert? Valentine’s Day Ash Wednesday-style
By Carol Zimmermann Catholic News Service WASHINGTON — Many people looking at their February calendars are doing a double-take with Ash Wednesday falling on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. The two days, steeped in tradition, don’t have too much in common beyond their religious roots. Valentine’s Day, named after St. Valentine, a third-century martyr, is all […]
Photo: Lent begins
Bishop Larry Silva celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, March 1. The bishop places ashes in the sign of the cross on the forehead of a parishioner, marking the start of the Catholic penitential season of Lent. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
Photo: Sign of Lent
As a sign of the start of Lent, Bishop Larry Silva places ashes on the forehead of one of the hundreds of congregants at the Feb. 10 noon Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the liturgical season of prayer, penitence, fasting and conversion for Christians around the globe. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
Photo: Ashes to ashes
Bishop Larry Silva swipes ashes on the forehead of a parishioner at the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace during the noontime Ash Wednesday Mass, Feb. 18. Several hundred faithful gathered at the downtown church for the liturgy, with the distribution of ashes marking the start of Lent for Christians around the world. (HCH […]