Our observance of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 13 February 2013, a day of fast and abstinence for Catholics.
The Catholic community in downtown Cleveland had six opportunities to receive ashes during the six masses that were celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. The Cathedral is located at E. 9th Street and Superior Avenue. The mass times were: 7:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12 noon, 1:00 p.m., 5:10 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Click play to watch Bishop Lennon's Homily
from Ash Wednesday About the Lenten Season
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence. Fasting is obligatory for all who have completed their 18th year and have not yet reached their 60th year. Fasting allows a person to eat one full meal. Two smaller meals may be taken, not to equal one full meal. Abstinence (from meat) is obligatory for all who have reached their 14th year.
If possible, the fast on Good Friday is continued until the Easter Vigil (on Holy Saturday night) as the "paschal fast" to honor the suffering and death of the Lord Jesus, and to prepare ourselves to share more fully and to celebrate more readily his Resurrection.
Fridays in Lent are obligatory days of complete abstinence (from meat) for all who have completed their 14th year.