Article by Marissa Cubillos ‘17:
On Wednesday, February 10, 2016, members of the Kellenberg community gathered together in the auditorium to commemorate Ash Wednesday. Throughout the day, students took time to gather during different periods in the auditorium for a prayer service celebrated by Fr. Thomas Cardone, S.M. After the prayer service was over, Bro. Michael Gillen S.M., Fr. Tom, and the Eucharistic ministers distributed ashes for the students gathered. Fr. Tom explained how the ashes are from burning the palms left over from the past year’s Palm Sunday Mass. While ashes were distributed in the sign of the cross on each students’ forehead, the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” were recited.
Ash Wednesday is a day for fasting, which is why the day before, Mardi Gras, students were given candy. During lunch on Ash Wednesday, there was food, but there was no meat and no candy or snacks for purchase. Ash Wednesday is also the first day of Lent, the season of preparation before Easter. During Lent, we fast and remember when Jesus spent 40 days in the desert fasting, where Jesus endured the temptation of the devil before beginning his public ministry.