Lent begins with Ash Wednesday

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
Blessing the ashes — Deacon Al Burleigh demonstrates the blessing of ashes by using an aspergil which is dipped in a holy water bucket and used to sprinkle ashes made from burnt palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Some 300 area residents attended Masses at St. Mary of the Visitation on Ash Wednesday to begin the Lenten Season which is marked by penance, reflection and fasting in preparation for Easter Sunday.
    Father David Raymond, pastor of St. Mary’s, said approximately 100 attended the 7 a.m. Mass. “Especially for working people, it is a wonderful sign of their faith and resolve to begin Lent on the right foot.” That evening about 200 people attended the 7 p.m. Mass.
    Deacon Al Burleigh and Father Raymond, assisted by extraordinary ministers, distributed ashes to the faithful. Ashes, in the form of a cross, are placed on the forehead by a priest or minister, as an outward reminder of man’s mortality. Palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burnt to make the ashes.
    Burleigh said during the homily, Father Dave explained that Lent is a time for prayer, almsgiving and fasting in addition to asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
LENT HAS BEGUN — After the evening Mass on Ash Wednesday, several communicants greeted each other before leaving St. Mary’s. From left, are: Makayla McGuire, Margaret Casey, Judy Reid, Marissa Malone and Sally Fitzpatrick.