Reflections on Faith 

The First Week of Lent 

On Wednesday 2nd March, our School Community joined together to mark Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Lenten Period for 2022. Students also received their personal Caritas boxes. Students will keep these boxes at home and at the end of term return these for collection. Caritas is a Catholic Agency who help raise funds to support those in need and less fortunate so that they are able to have the basic necessities in life; such as food, water, shelter and education. 

What's the purpose of Ash Wednesday?

It marks first day of the 40 days of Lent, a roughly six-week period (not including Sundays) dedicated to reflection, prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter. It ends on Holy Thursday, the fifth day of Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) that marks the Last Supper. In addition to certain rules about foods and fasting, many Christians (and even non-Christians) abstain from additional foods, luxury or material goods or certain activities and habits.

Where do the ashes some people put on their face come from?

They're obtained from the burning of the palms of the previous Palm Sunday, which occurs on the Sunday before Easter, and applied during services. Palm Sunday marks Jesus' return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are typically mixed with Holy Water or oil.

What do the ashes mean?

The ashes, applied in the shape of a cross, are a symbol of penance, mourning and mortality. Centuries ago, participants used to sprinkle themselves with ashes and repent much more publicly, but the practice fell away sometime between the 8th-10th century before evolving into what it is today. There aren't any particular rules about how long the ashes should be worn, but most people wear them throughout the day as a public expression of their faith and penance.

Lent is a time of personal renewal in our faith life.  It is time to take stock and reflect upon where we are in our relationship with God and with those around us.  It is a time when we are called to stop, practice some form of self denial so that we have space in our lives to give priority to God, to build our relationship with God and to think more of others.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday.