Christians, Catholics in San Diego head to

Catholics and Christians went to church to mark this special season on Ash Wednesday as the Lenten Season begins. Parishioners and members of various churches held in-person services, a tradition held before the pandemic.

Ash Wednesday Across San Diego County

With in-person services on Ash Wednesday, parishioners and members of various churches had a throwback of how it was before the onset of the pandemic. As per the report of ABC10 News, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Chula Vista returned to the traditional Ash Wednesday Service.

According to the report, churches conducted indoor Mass and distributed ashes like before the pandemic. Another comeback is the sign of the cross marked by hand, instead of using a cotton swab as it was done last year in observance of Covid protocols.

As shared on the ABC 10 News report, Father Eric Tamayo, Associate Pastor of St. Rose, discussed the significance of this return to normalcy for any parishioner; to enter inside the church, especially on a cold morning, to gather and feel the presence of people, are signs of hope.

Marie Coronel also went to Downtown San Diego. She reported that clergy for St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral offered ashes to go, near City Hall, where anyone could walk up and get their ashes.

Significance of Lent for Santee UMC

Santee United Methodist Church, on its Facebook, provided a recap of its Ash Wednesday activities. According to the recap, the church began its Lenten journey through the “Imposition of Ashes.” Moreover, Santee UMC reminded everyone that Lent is a time to prepare their hearts and minds for Easter.

Santee United Methodist Church stated that Christians practice fasting from things that disturb them from their relationship with the Lord. The 40 days of Lent is an exceptional opportunity for everyone to focus on their Spiritual Practices.

Santee UMC through its Facebook, also shared that people can add things like prayer and meditation, which allow people to better feel the presence of God at work in their lives to their Spiritual practices.

Other remarkable things they can do during Lent are Confession and Repentance and Almsgiving to those in need. Finally, Christians should acknowledge their Mortality.

First Congregational Church of Ramona

On Facebook, the First Congregational Church of Ramona stated that Ash Wednesday is a time to remember everyone’s finitude. Christians recognize that they came from the dust and shall return to the dust and turn to the Lord for meaning and hope.

The First Congregational Church of Ramona invited everyone to come to church on March 2, to receive ashes and spend some moments in prayer as a way to begin the Lenten Season.

It opened the doors of the sanctuary from 7 am to 9 am.

According to the Learn Religions webpage, Lent is the Christian season of spiritual preparation before Easter. Moreover, it commences on Ash Wednesday in Western Churches. Many Christians observe a time for fasting, repentance, moderation, and spiritual discipline during this season.

These churches are only a few of those that observed Ash Wednesday's celebration across San Diego County.