Christians mark Ash Wednesday, start of Lent
NEWARK, N.J. -- Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the most holy season on the Christian calendar.
In Newark, Cardinal Joseph Tobin presided over two masses.
At Saint Patrick's Pro-Cathedral on Washington Street in Newark, Christians came for the noon Mass to have ashes placed on their forehead.
Tobin, of the Archdiocese of Newark, says the ashes are placed in the sign of a cross to symbolize that God made everyone out of dust, and all shall return to dust at the end of their lives.
He says Catholics wear the ashes for the rest of the day as a sign of penance for their sins.
"It's really a time when we go out of ourselves as much as God, when out of God's own life to come to us, and we go especially where people are forgotten, where they're the poor," Tobin said.
The Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn explained more about what the practice means.
"Ashes are a visible sign of our humbly entering into this season, our recognition that we all need changes in our lives. We all need God's help and mercy along the way. And so the ashes give us a visible sign of that need," Bishop Robert Brennan said.
Watch: Ash Wednesday observed at Cathedral of St. John the Divine
"The ashes this year have a very special meaning for me, because it reminds me of the ashes of the earthquake, and of those in the Ukraine," said Montclair resident Maryanne Ford.
"Very grateful to have been here to be able to offer with them my prayers for the world," said Newark resident Elix Nelly Corales.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent - a six week period of prayer, repentance and sacrifice - leading up to Easter.
Many followers choose to give up something to show their commitment to their faith.
"I'm sacrificing, like, fried foods. As a college student, it's such an important part of my diet, and I think I can do better and try to cook," said Kenilworth resident Val Vazquez.
"Lent means to me a return to Jesus," a Newark resident named Connie said. "I don't have to give up anything. I'm 89 years old."
The cardinal says Lent is a journey, not a destination. Growth takes time and effort.
"It was to connect what we're doing today with the 40 days that are going to follow, which is a time of reflection, a time when we try to open ourselves to be better people," Tobin said.
"Excellent. It was very good," said Newark resident Peter Nanne. "The homily talks about the giving of ashes... why we need time to reflect, why we need to forgive, and do the work of charity."
Following Mass, the cardinal says Catholics are expected to spend the day fasting, repenting, and abstaining from meat.