Lorenzo Nivellini, Staff Writer–
On Feb. 14, the first week of Lent began, kicked off by Ash Wednesday, which is a day of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving for many Christians. To celebrate this holiday, Father Tim Hayes, a priest from local Catholic church St. Edward the Confessor blessed students with ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead. This is Father Hayes’ first Lent since arriving at Granville.
After his 9 a.m. mass, Hayes arrived in front of Swasey Chapel at a quarter past noon with his missal and blessed ashes to a table set up for the occasion by student volunteers. With dozens of students gathered in a semicircle, he began his sermon with a reading from the book of Matthew. In a proceeding
homily, Hayes declared the beginning of Lent and the need for prayer, fasting and almsgiving, providing examples of how each of these actions is given special attention by Catholics during the upcoming season. Following this brief outdoor service, Hayes invited students to receive ashes. In typical fashion, he placed the ashes in the shape of a cross on each person’s forehead, inviting them to repent and believe in the gospel.
Ash Wednesday was established as a Catholic holiday during the 11th century, and held at six and a half weeks before every Easter, which lands on the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. The holiday was inspired by a method for early Christian to receive forgiveness for their wrongdoings Hayes explained, and bishops would sprinkle ashes upon their heads, and separated from the church until the Thursday before Easter.
Ashes continued to play a role as a symbol of the start of the advent season, as well as a reminder of Genesis chapter 3 verse 19: “All are to dust, and to dust all return.” This verse underscores the Christian belief that physical bodies are (generally) temporary.
Another important aspect of lent for Christians is fasting. Youth group director Steven Arias, who’s part of the Church of St. Edward in Granville, said that fasting, not the reception of ashes, is the most important facet of Ash Wednesday.
“This ensures that your appetites do not control you, but rather you have control over them,” said Arias.
He also emphasized the importance of occasionally giving up conveniences in a world where they surround us and that he believes there is a corresponding mental benefit of doing so. Hayes elaborated on this point, prephasing that receiving ashes, while important, is not obligatory for Catholics and is always made available to people of any faith. He explained that some denominations, such as the otherwise similar Eastern Orthodox Church, do not partake in Ash Wednesday simply due to differences in their history and the development of their doctrine.
Along with the celebration of lent, Hayes notes that the celebration of Ash Wednesday can have a uniquely renewing effect on all who attend services.