Bishop Perez to distribute ashes during noon Mass
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, so named because of the Church's tradition of marking the foreheads of each member of the faith community with consecrated ashes on that day. Catholics receive ashes as a tangible reminder that Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and charitable works (almsgiving) in preparation for Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to Catholic tradition, Lent provides us with a yearly opportunity to renew and deepen our relationship with Christ. It is a time during which penitential practices and good works are stressed equally by the Church. Acts of sacrifice and self-denial alongside actions directed toward love of God and neighbor combine to powerfully fulfill our baptismal commitment to be like Christ.
Ashes will be distributed during Masses at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, East 9th Street and Superior Avenue in downtown Cleveland, throughout the day on Ash Wednesday. Masses are scheduled at 7:15 and 11 a.m., noon, 1, 5:10 and 7 p.m. Bishop Nelson J. Perez will distribute ashes during the Mass at noon.
For more information, visit https://saintjohncathedral.com/
To search any parish Mass time for Ash Wednesday, use the online parish locator.
Fasting and abstinence from eating meat:
Ash Wednesday (March 6) and Good Friday (April 19) are obligatory days of universal fast and abstinence.
Other resources for the Lenten season may be found here.