Hundreds turn out for Ash Wednesday ashes

Father Michael Cockburn of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church advised parishioners yesterday that they should live like Jesus, even though life was full of temptations. He also placed ashes on their foreheads, and said it was to show sorrow or grief. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lenten season, which lasts for a period of 40 days until Holy Saturday. “It is an ancient tradition that goes back to the Old Testament,” he recalled. Cockburn mentioned that the receiving of the ashes was a time of mourning and repentance.

“Ash Wednesday has nothing to do with mas,” he told Newsday. “It was decided to have two days of fun before the 40 serious days of fasting.” The church was filled with more than 500 parisioners and onlookers. Some  stood by the walls or outside, waiting to receive the traditional ashes. He added that the church recommends discipline, and learning to overcome negative or simple habits when it comes to fasting. Commenting on hospitalisation of the Pope John, Fr Cockburn said,  “We can’t ask him to resign, and if it is in his conscience to do so, he will.”