February 22 is Ash Wednesday and 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. Easter is April 8.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Archdiocese is promoting the sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as penance or confession, during Lent. All Catholic churches in the Archdiocese will make the sacrament available.
The campaign is called “The Light is on for You” and was first initiated in the Archdiocese of Washington. It utilizes a multi-media marketing campaign to encourage Catholics to reconnect with the sacrament during Lent. For more information about “The Light is on for You,” contact a Catholic church in the Archdiocese of Baltimore or visit www.archbalt.org.
Media wishing to attend an Ash Wednesday Mass are welcome at the following Masses:
12:10 p.m., the Baltimore Basilica, Cathedral Street, Downtown
5:30 p.m., the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles Street
Cardinal-designate O’Brien will celebrate Ash Wednesday in Rome before returning to the United States from the Consistory on February 23.