Busy Commuters Get Ashes to Go

Some commuters at the Grafton train station carried on more than coffee and the newspaper this morning.

In observance of Ash Wednesday, they were wearing ashes dispensed by local ministers through the Ashes to Go program.

The program, which began five years ago, offers ashes to people at train stations and other busy areas.

Rev. Laura Goodwin, pastor of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in North Grafton, and Rev. Lisa Green, pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sutton, braved the morning chill at the MBTA commuter rail station on Pine Street. They stood at the entrance to the station, greeting everyone and offering ashes to those who wanted them.

More than 70 Episcopal parishes in 18 states were scheduled to participate in the program today in a range of locations, including at the train stations in Westborough and Worcester.

The program is not meant to replace church services on the first day of Lent, the ministers said. Instead, Ashes to Go allows people who might otherwise not have the time or opportunity to attend a formal ceremony the chance to take a moment of reflection and spirituality.

People may not attend services regularly, but they are “still seeking a spiritual life,’’ Rev. Goodwin said. “How do we engage them where they are is the big question.’’

Sometimes, the ministers said, you have to reach people where they live, or in this case, where they head to work. “The altar in the world is kind of the concept,’’ Rev. Green said.

One woman who received the ashes, but asked not to be identified or photographed, said she still might go to Ash Wednesday services later in the day.

“But it’s good to know I’m covered,’’ she said.