ASH WEDNESDAY - THE COMMENCEMENT OF LENT.

Lent is a forty day fast and references the time Jesus spent being tempted in the desert. It’s a time when we can prepare our hearts for the remembrance of Christ’s death. Our observance of Lent culminates in the solemn celebrations of Holy Week when on Palm Sunday we follow Christ from his triumphant entrance into Jerusalem to the foot of the Cross as sorrowful bystanders to His Passion, before rolling back the stone of the empty tomb and the joy of the Resurrection.

The six-week period is dedicated to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for this great celebration of Christs Paschal Mystery in the Easter Triduum.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - a time for turning again to the practice of our faith, in prayer, self-denial (fasting) and practical generosity (almsgiving).

The ashes themselves come from the burned palms from last years Palm Sunday celebration: thus bringing us full circle to our last celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  

On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that we are called to turn away from sin, to repent and to believe the Good News of our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Earlier today, to mark Ash Wednesday, the Guilds' Merseyside Police branch organised a short service which included distribution of ashes. This took place at the Forces' Training Academy and was a first for the Force.