Ash Wednesday is finally here, and thus the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday is an old tradition of the church, dating back to the eighth century, in which the faithful receive blessed ashes made from the palms of last year’s Palm Sunday. The ashes remind us of our mortality and call us to repentance. This is clearly demonstrated when the priest says, “Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shall return” (or some variation of that) when placing the ashes on our forehead. Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstaining from meat as Catholics and Christians around the world kick-off Lent.
One of the best ways to make the most of Lent this year is through daily prayer. Many Lent books help one pray more and fall in deeper love with Christ. Lent books focus on scripture and daily devotion to Our Lord and remembrance of His Passion. Many think of Lent and wonder, “What should I give up?” but it is also important to add a new spiritual practice as well. Using Lent books will allow you to meditate, read scripture, and pray in new, fruitful ways. Lent books are not the only way to make the most of Lent, but they are certainly one of the best ways.
If Lent books aren’t to your liking, then perhaps you can perform the Stations of the Cross daily. Most Catholic churches have a Stations of the Cross so that you can perform the Stations either by yourself or at a Stations of the Cross service. At Belmont Abbey College we have a beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross surrounded by nature and serenity. Stations of the Cross Prayer Books help all ages identify and lean from the Passion of Christ.
There are many more ways than Lent books and the Stations of the Cross to make daily prayer a part of your Lenten journey. For example, you can pray the rosary, the divine mercy chaplet, or read a chapter out of a Gospel daily. The important thing is that you attempt to make this season one of daily prayer. Ash Wednesday reminds us that we are not immortal and ought to live every day as if it is our last. I sure hope that on my last day on Earth I will be praying fervently to the Lord for mercy and forgiveness.
With Ash Wednesday comes a 46-day period of sacrifice and spiritual growth which culminates in the biggest celebration of the church, Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is not a day of Holy Obligation, but nonetheless you should definitely try your best to make it to an Ash Wednesday Mass. What better way to start the important season of Lent than with Mass? What new spiritual practice are you going to begin this Lent in an effort to pray daily?
