Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, a period of reflection and preparation for the events of Holy Week and the celebrations of Easter.
This year, Winchester Cathedral is offering a range of services throughout the day, which will include special music, readings and prayers to mark Ash Wednesday and to offer people the opportunity to start their own pilgrimage into Lent and Holy Week.
Starting with Morning Prayer at 7.30am, followed by midday Sung Eucharist, 4pm Evening Prayer and finishing with a Solemn Eucharist and Imposition of the Ashes at 5.30pm, all are welcome to join in worship during this special day. During the midday Sung Eucharist and 5.30pm Solemn Eucharist, members of the congregation will be invited to formally receive the sign of the cross in ash on their forehead as a symbol of penitence. All services will also be available to watch online via the Live Stream.
In the Cathedral Close, visitors will have the opportunity to receive ashes on their forehead informally with ‘Ashes to Go’, from members of the Clergy. Traditionally, palm crosses are gathered and burned from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration to create the ashes for Ash Wednesday. Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and leads into Holy Week.
As well as the traditional services, and under the theme ‘Everyone is loved’, prayer stations will be available throughout the cathedral where people are welcome to find a place to pray or reflect, as well as speak to someone personally about what the day signifies. There is also the opportunity to make a formal or informal confession to a priest in the Epiphany Chapel.
Clergy and other members of the community will also take on manual roles, observing more closely the monastic roots at the heart of the Cathedral.
The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, said: “On Ash Wednesday, we remember that we are simply human, we all make mistakes and we can ask for forgiveness. We can let go of resentment and fear and grow into new life and new love. The journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday is not only dramatic, full of powerful symbols and special liturgies, but also a significant invitation to hear and respond to God. The Cathedral is a daily visual reminder that God loves us and longs for us to turn to him so that he can be close to us. On this day we ask for forgiveness for all that separates us from God and from one another.”
Throughout Lent, Holy Week and Easter, the Church of England will be running its campaign, ‘Embracing Justice’, which will encourage people to reflect on the injustices of the world and ask what God is calling them to do about it. Each day, a Bible reading, a short reflection and a prayer, as well as a practical challenge linked to the week’s theme, will be offered. More information about the Church of England’s campaign, ‘Embracing Justice’ is available here.
Find out more about Ash Wednesday
