Archbishop William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, will celebrate the following Masses in Baltimore on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Baltimore Basilica, 409 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, 12:10 p.m.; The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles Street, 5:30 p.m.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period when the Catholic Church asks the faithful to give themselves to prayer and to the reading of the Scripture, to fasting and to giving alms, in an effort to sharpen their senses and focus mind and heart on the reign of God.
Also on Wednesday, the world-renowned statue known as “Homeless Jesus,” a full size park bench with the prone figure of Jesus, will begin its tour of the Archdiocese at the Basilica. The statue, which has been commissioned for placement in cities around the world, including the Vatican, is meant to remind Catholics and others that Jesus is present to all, including the less fortunate. The bronze sculpture was given to the Archdiocese by an anonymous donor and will be on permanent display at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in downtown Baltimore. The parish has long had a vibrant ministry to the homeless of Baltimore. A lightweight, resin version of the piece will be on display in schools and churches around the Archdiocese, beginning with the Basilica, America’s oldest Catholic cathedral.
Easter is Sunday, April 16.
For more information about the Year of Mercy and for Lenten resources, visit www.archbalt.org.