Cardinal Dolan: Ashes On Forehead Are Symbol Of Repentance, Solidarity
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Christians spent Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent.
The Season of Lent is the 40-day period of prayer, penance and sacrifice in preparation for the celebration of Easter. To start that preparation, worshipers come to church to have a priest apply ashes on their foreheads.
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, worshipers in New York were taking time to pray and receive their ashes, which serve as a symbol of life and a call to deepen spirituality.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan marked Ash Wednesday by celebrating Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, where thousands stood in line to receive the ashes culled from last year's Palm Sunday branches. The palms are often burned on Tuesday at individual churches.
"They're a powerful symbol of things passing away; the transient nature of human life," Dolan told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb. "When the priest imposes ashes, he says, 'Remember, you're dust and unto dust you shall return.' Our life is beautiful and sacred as it is. It's passing away, it's fading. We're destined for eternity."
The smudge of ash on the forehead is a representation of solidarity, Dolan said.
"There's an external symbol; we're in this together, we're sinners in need of God's mercy, we're people on a journey to eternity and it's good to be in such good company," Dolan said.
Christina DeVito made time in her busy day with two young sons to share an annual ritual that gives pause and perspective.
"We are trying just to as a family unplug, take the phones, put them away," DeVito said.
At Good Shephard Church in Holbrook, Father Jerry Ringenbach called the ashes a symbol of mortality, but a reminder of much more.
"It isn't just, 'remember your mortality,'" he explained, "It's having a change of heart, being renewed in mind and spirit."
For many the ashes serve as a public declaration of faith, and a private sacrifice.
"I'm just giving up sweets and stuff for Lent, trying to lose the weight from Christmas," one person said.
"Sugar and beer," another added.
Not everyone was so forthcoming with their plans for sacrifice.
"I gave up for Lent telling people what I gave up, because we're not supposed to brag. We're supposed to keep it between God and ourselves," Dolan said, "I'm not going to tell you, but I'll give you a hint. God willing on Easter Sunday, you'll see less of me."
Giving something up can also entail giving back.
"It might be a spiritual work of mercy that Pope Francis has been encouraging us to do," Ringenbach said.
The observance has been described as a wakeup call that hits you squarely between the eyes.