Ash Wednesday in White Plains

Local parishes in White Plains are preparing for Lenten season with Ash Wednesday services on Feb. 22.

Ash Wednesday is a Christian tradition that marks the beginning of Lent, which ends on Easter Sunday. Christians engage in repentance and fasting or “giving something up” for 40 days to represent Jesus’ fasting for 40 days in the desert, while he denied Satan’s temptations. The period of discipline is meant to remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his life, the gift of redemption, as well as his resurrection. 

On Ash Wednesday, practitioners wear ashes on their forehead as an act of humility. The Church of St. Bernard in White Plains urges its parishioners to perform acts of fast and abstinence during lent.

They describe fasting as eating one full meal a day—with two smaller meals during the day for strength that do not equal a full meal together. This is suggested for those who are 18 to 59. Fasting is recommended on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Abstaining requires one to pass on eating meat on certain days, like Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent. Check their website at http://stbernardswp.com/ for more information.

Here are some local churches that are holding Ash Wednesday services:

• The Presbyterian Church of White Plains is offering a noontime service where ashes will be distributed from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.; the church choir will perform during the evening service, where ashes will also be distributed, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

• The Church of St. Bernard will distribute ashes during a 9 a.m. mass in Chapel Hall; and during bible services at 12 p.m. in Chapel Hall and at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the main church. On Fridays during Lent Stations of the Cross will be held in English at 7 p.m. and in Spanish at 8 p.m. 

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church will hold mass and distribute ashes at 12:10 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. 

• Grace Church of White Plains will hold their services at 7 a.m., noon and 7 p.m.

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