NEW YORK (WABC) — Millions of Christians around the world are observing Ash Wednesday on February 18.
It is a day of holy prayer and fasting that marks the beginning of Lent.
Worshippers receive ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross as a reminder that death is part of life.
This Holy Day also marked Archbishop of New York Ronald Hicks’ first time presiding over Ash Wednesday services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
“Powerful and beautiful. So many people who still love God and want to strengthen their relationship with him coming together in prayer and then embracing some ways of fasting and praying and doing some good for others through almsgiving, it’s a beautiful feeling,” Archbishop Hicks said.
He pointed the faithful towards the teachings of the current pope this Lenten season.
“Pope Leo gave us a great message. He invites us to give up speaking poorly and badly about people, especially when they aren’t there to defend themselves,” he said. “Someone said to me, he wasn’t even Catholic, said to me, ‘You know, I can do that, and make me a better person and it’d make the world a better place.’ And for us who want to go deeper with the Lord, also that helps us on our path to peace and hope and the Holy Father said.”
For those struggling with how to best observe, Archbishop Hicks offered his advice.
My Lenten mission for New Yorkers is simply this: Embrace something that you yourself can either do or give up that is going to help you in your own spiritual life to keep God in the center of your life. We fill our life, our centers, with so many things. We can fill that center with God’s goodness, God’s hope, with God’s peace, with God’s mercy. That’s my message for all,” he said.
Archbishop Hicks took over the diocese from the now-retired Timothy Cardinal Dolan right before the most holy time of the year in the Catholic faith, Lent and Easter.
He said his short time in New York City has been a “beautiful gift.”
“I would say the one thing that has stood out has been the friendliness, the enthusiasm, the overall welcome. I’m actually stopped on the streets by Catholics and non-Catholics alike just welcoming me to New York, wanting the best for me, and they are able to talk about a few things that are important to me. They’ll say, ‘We get that you are a Cubs fan, but we’re going to get you to a Yankees game or a Mets game.’ You know, they’ll stop me, it’s been great conversation and I’ve been delighted by it.”
Meantime, in honor of Ash Wednesday, Catholic Charities of New York is hosting a pop-up food pantry.
It will be held at St. Cecilia’s Church on 105th Street in Harlem. Doors open at 10 a.m., and free food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
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