Locals receive ashes, begin Lent

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Author(s): 
Elsa Mejia

Thousands of local Catholics flocked to church, a hall and a chapel for English and Spanish services to celebrate Ash Wednesday, which is also observed by Episcopalians and some Protestants as the beginning of the season of Lent.

Lent is a 40-day spiritual preparation preceding Easter Sunday, which is when Christians believe the 1st century Jewish rabbi Jesus resurrected after being dead for days.

Due to heavy attendance, St. Joachim Catholic Church had 13 separate services, including three Masses, where ashes were distributed Wednesday. In comparison, the church only has seven services on Sundays, five on other solemn holy days, and two on most weekdays.

At the Catholic services, Rev. Gustavo López, OSJ, debunked common misconceptions about the meaning of Ash Wednesday...

Comments

Father Bessarion | 02/17/13

An article published on 2/14/13 entitled "Locals receive ashes, Begin Lent" in the first paragraph states "Ash Wednesday, which is also observed by Orthodox, ..." is false. The Orthodox Church has no such thing as an "Ash Wednesday." We do not use ashes for any Lenten ceremonies, and will not begin the Great and Holy Fast (as we call it) until Monday, March 18 (civil date), 2013 -- "Clean Monday" (a reference to the fact that the fast is observed by most all Orthodox Christians by abstinence from all meat and meat products [including poultry], dairy and dairy products, fish, oil, and alcohol. On Saturdays and Sundays, the fast is mitigated by allowing use of oil and wine. The 40-day fast is followed by a stricter yet fast during Holy and Great Week and ends with the celebration of the glorious resurrection of Christ Our True God on Great and Holy Pascha (we do not use the term "Easter" which is the name of the pagan goddess of fertility "Oestre"). Pascha derives from the term Passover.

webmaster | 02/20/13

The error you point out was introduced into the story by the copy editor. It should have said that the season of Lent was celebrated by the religions mentioned. 

The Tribune regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused.

I have passed on your comment to the editor for publication as a letter to the editor.