Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians around the world. The placing of ashes on one’s forehead reminds Christians that all their bodies are formed from the “dust of earth” and will one day return to the earth from which they came. According to PAH Chaplain Catherine Forlastro, “Ash Wednesday invites us to become more conscious of the great spirits that we are and why the gift of life has been given to us.”
Image courtesy of holysacrament.org
Ministers from Old St. Joseph Church will be in PAH throughout the day on Ash Wednesday, February 22. Ashes will be distributed in the hospital chapel on Preston 1 from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Ashes will also be distributed to all patients, visitors, and staff who want them until 3:00 pm.
Chaplain Forlastro comments further on this day of penance and reflection:
As the ashes are placed on the forehead these words are said: (Name), turn away from sin and turn toward the God who loves you. Sin, in this context represents all that we allow to go on in our lives that makes us less than who we are, less authentic than we have the potential to be. “Turning toward God” in this context means us consciously reinvest in becoming all we are created to be, our purest self. The 40 days which follow Ash Wednesday are dedicated to this effort to grow into the most authentic person we can be. This time of Lent culminates with the celebration of Easter, the time when we celebrate the great spirits we are in our essence, beloved children of the Source of All Life, the Greatest of All Good which we call God. This is not only something Christians celebrate, it is something deeply human and common to all people. Therefore, ashes are offered to everyone regardless of their style of spirituality.
