February 23, 2012

Ash Wednesday from Augusta to the Vatican

ROME (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI rode on a motorized cart in an Ash Wednesday procession, forsaking the traditional short walk between two Rome churches as the 84-year-old pontiff tries to conserve his energy.

click image to enlarge

The Rev. Francis Morin places ashes on a person's forehead during an Ash Wednesday mass held over the lunch hour at St. Mary Church in Augusta. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Christian time of Lent, the forty days leading up to Easter Sunday. This year Western Christian churches will celebrate Easter on April 8 while the Orthodox churches have it the following Sunday April 15.

Staff photo by Joe Phelan


The pope wore an ermine-trimmed crimson cape to protect him from the chilly, early evening air as he stood in the cart during the brief procession atop the Aventine Hill, between St. Anselmo Church and the Basilica of Santa Sabina. The white vehicle resembled a kind of mini popemobile he uses on trips and to get around the vast expanse of St. Peter’s Square.


But Benedict walked briskly and unassisted into and out of the basilica, where he led a solemn service to mark the start of the Lenten season of penitence, including the placement of ashes on the forehead of faithful. He wore purple-colored vestments as he celebrated Mass in the ancient basilica.


Benedict has been using a different wheeled platform to navigate the long aisle of St. Peter’s Basilica to reduce wear and tear.


In his homily, he noted that Ash Wednesday is a “day of penitence and fasting.” Lent helps spiritually prepare Roman Catholics for Easter, which this year falls on April 8.


Benedict rubbed ashes on the foreheads of some faithful, as they approached him one by one, to symbolize mortality.
 

Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form

Send question/comment to the editors




Further Discussion

Here at KJonline.com we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion. To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use.

Questions about the article? Add them below and we’ll try to answer them or do a follow-up post as soon as we can. Technical problems? Email them to us with an exact description of the problem. Make sure to include:
  • Type of computer or mobile device your are using
  • Exact operating system and browser you are viewing the site on (TIP: You can easily determine your operating system here.)


Most…

More »