Father in Heaven,

Protect us in our struggle against evil.

As we begin the discipline of Lent,

make this season holy by our self-denial…

During Ash Wednesday Mass the celebrant makes the sign of the cross on the forehead with ashes. The accompanying words remind us of our mortality and our hope: “Remember that you are dust and unto dust you will return!” and invite us to be better Christians: “Repent and believe in the Gospel!”

In Lent we are called:

• to engage deeply in this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving

• to read and reflect on God’s word in scripture 

• to spend more time in prayer

• to work on any attitudes or behaviour which may be unchristian

• to deny ourselves and to strengthen our will in the battle against selfishness

Ash Wednesday itself is a day of special prayer and fasting, abstaining from meat and luxuries in order to mark the beginning of this spiritual journey. During this time of Lent, we take stock of our lives and reflect on our motives and actions. We strive to let God’s love take root in our lives in order to become more like Jesus.

Let us pray: 

As we live through this Ash Wednesday, may the crosses of ashes that mark our foreheads be a reminder to us and to those we meet that we belong to your Son, Jesus. May our worship and prayer and penitence this day be sustained throughout these 40 days of Lent. Bring us refreshed and renewed to the celebration of Christ’s resurrection at Easter. We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord, Amen.