Cathedral Basilica of St. James celebrates Ash Wednesday

Cathedral Basilica of St. James celebrated Ash Wednesday. (Photo by Thays Orrico from Unsplash)

Churchgoers from over the Diocese of Brooklyn came to the Cathedral Basilica of St. James to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22.

They also assisted in opening the new lenten journey that invited Catholics to return to the church.

New Lenten Journey

According to The Tablet, Bishop Robert Brennan officially launched the event by conducting the midday Mass at the cathedral on the first day of the 2023 Lenten Pilgrimage.

Fr. Bryan Patterson, the cathedral's rector, assisted him in the distribution of ashes.

The bishop remained for Eucharistic Adoration with several Mass attendants. There was, however, more: "pilgrims" got "passports" for the 40-day Diocesan Lenten Pilgrimage. During Lent, pilgrims are encouraged to visit a different parish daily, excluding Sundays.

There are 42 parishes assigned for specific days on the program, although there are two possibilities for five days.

Pilgrims may participate in Mass, reconciliation, or Eucharistic Adoration at each station. They may also have the parish's "stamp" added to their passports.

As stated, a passport with 20 or more stamps is eligible for a special certificate signed by Bishop Brennan.

Before the mass, Bishop Brennan stated that he had two hopes. One of them is that it is part of the Eucharistic Revival; they hope to rediscover and revitalize the faith in Jesus' presence in Communion.

He said it would occur through adoration prayers, church attendance, and presence before the Holy Sacrament. The profound affection for Jesus will renew for who is present in the Eucharist.

His second desire is that pilgrims experience delight as they "travel with us." He continued, "This is a stark reminder that Christ is here in our community, in Brooklyn and Queens. So, we walk with one another, but collectively we walk with Jesus."

Fr. Joseph Gibino, the vicar for evangelization and catechesis for the Diocese of Brooklyn, celebrated the Mass with Bishop Brennan and Fr. Patterson.

About Lent

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stated that Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and charity that concludes at sundown on Holy Thursday.

Lent is the time of preparation for the Easter celebration of the Lord's resurrection. During Lent, Catholics pray for the Lord by reading Holy Scripture, serving by giving alms, and learning self-discipline by fasting.

They are called not just to refrain from luxury during Lent but also to a genuine interior conversion of heart as Catholics strive to follow Christ's plan.

Catholics remember the waters of baptism in which they were also baptized into the death of Christ, died to sin and evil, and began a new life in Christ.

Many are familiar with the custom of refraining from meat on Fridays during Lent. Still, they are also encouraged to exert self-discipline and fast in other ways during the season. Consider the significance and origins of the custom of fasting during Lent.

Almsgiving is also a method to share God's gifts, not just through the distribution of money but also through the sharing of their time and abilities.