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 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.
The day’s schedule is as follows; Morning Prayer at 8.00am, followed by Holy Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at 12.00pm, Evening Prayer at 4.00pm 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 Holy Eucharist and 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 Cathedral Channel.
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, 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.
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.”
Find out more about Ash Wednesday
