Ash Wednesday Service

Our Ash Wednesday service will be held March 6th at 6:30 pm at Canterbury House. This service will include the imposition of ashes. This means the priest will take ashes that have been blessed, use the ashes to place a cross on the forehead while saying these words: “Remember, thou art dust and unto dust thou will return.” This is a solemn ritual that communicates to each of us that we are born to rust out, and we will not live forever.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a 40 day period of reflection, prayer and the giving of alms as we prepare for the celebration of Easter. In Lent, we retire the use of “Alleluia” in our services; this reflects stripping down the liturgy to its essential components. At the same time, we are invited to strip down ourselves. Some people do this by “giving up” an item of which they are particularly fond – chocolate, ice cream, coffee. Other individuals chose to “take on” an additional spiritual discipline such as praying Morning Prayer each day; engaging in community service; choosing to engage in a daily act of kindness; or making time for spiritual reading.

If you have questions or would like to discuss Lent before Ash Wednesday, please feel free to set up an appointment with Mother Linda+.