Choral Eucharist for Ash Wednesday, sung by the Cathedral’s Nave Choir.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent every year. The day gets its name from the ancient tradition of using ashes to mark a cross on the forehead of people attending holy communion that day as a sign of their repentance. Traditionally, the ash used for the Imposition of Ashes is made from the burnt palm crosses of the previous year. Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray before beginning his work for God. Jesus was tempted several times by Satan, but was able to resist. Lent allows Christians to commit themselves to try and do the same. It is a time of giving things up and a test of self-discipline. The introduction to the service is: Brothers and sisters in Christ, since early days Christians have observed with great devotion the time of our Lord’s passion and resurrection and prepared for this by a season of penitence and fasting. By carefully keeping these days, Christians take to heart the call to repentance and the assurance of forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel, and so grow in faith and in devotion to our Lord. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy word.
This service will include the liturgy of penitence and ashing. Incense will be used during this service.
