Ash Wednesday 2023: What to know about the first day of Lent and where to observe in Phoenix
For millions of Christians living in Phoenix, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the observation of Lent, about six weeks before Easter.
“Lent has a very deep meaning for us Christians, which comes from the history of salvation that we find in sacred scripture. It is a time of conversion, of returning to God,” said the Rev. Eleazar Perez-Rodriguez, the vicar of St. Matthew Parish in Phoenix.
The largest denomination that observes the beginning of the Lenten season on Ash Wednesday is the Roman Catholic Church. There are more than 1 million members of the Catholic Church, according to the Diocese of Phoenix.
Perez-Rodriguez, who has been a priest for 33 years, said Ash Wednesday is one of the busiest in Catholic churches.
The season commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert prior to his crucifixion while abstaining from temptation from the devil.
According to Perez-Rodriguez, this is a time for reflection, charitable acts, change and a chance to get closer to God.
What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period where certain denominations of Christians are invited to do penance as a symbol of conversion. Starting on Ash Wednesday and ending at the start of Holy Week, just after Palm Sunday.
The 40 days refer to a biblical background: the flood lasted 40 days, Moses led his people to the promised land for 40 years, and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert.
When does Lent start in 2023?
Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and ends on April 2.
These are the important dates:
Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent: Feb. 22.
Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week: April 2.
Easter: April 9.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday serves as the start of the holy observance, but it also symbolizes acknowledgment by Christians that man is nothing without God's help — "a day of conversion," Perez-Rodriguez said.
A common sign of the season is seeing parishioners with ash on their foreheads. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday are from blessed palms that are burned during Palm Sunday from the previous year.
Why does Lent always start on different dates?
The Liturgy of the Catholic Church is governed by the lunar year and changes year after year. It goes according to the seasons.
Why do practicing Christians avoid eating meat during Lent?
The origin of not eating meat during Lent dates back to the second century and has a meaning of purification and penance among Christians, who refer to the sacrifices of figures such as Jesus during his fast.
“The liturgy is full of symbolism. The symbol of not eating meat is to remember the sacrifice ... to leave the bad life, to leave selfishness," Perez-Rodriguez said.
Practicing Christians avoid eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday.
Some of the Ash Wednesday Masses in the Valley
St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. Third St., Phoenix
7 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
10 a.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
Noon - Ash Wednesday service in English
3 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
6:30 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
SS Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix
6:15 a.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
Noon - Liturgy of the Word in English
4 p.m. - Bilingual Liturgy of the Word in English and Spanish
6 p.m. - Bilingual Liturgy of the Word in English and Spanish
8 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in Spanish
St. Matthew Parish, 320 N. 20th Drive, Phoenix
8:15 a.m. - Mass in English
7 p.m. - Mass in Spanish
10 a.m. and 11 a.m. - Liturgy of the Word in Spanish
Noon and 1 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in Spanish
5 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
6 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in Spanish
St. Mary’s Church, 3200 S. Cooper Road, Chandler
6:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
8:15 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
9:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish
11 a.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
Noon - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
4 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in Spanish
6 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
7:30 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish
San Juan Diego Parish, 3200 S. Cooper Road, Chandler
6:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
8:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
11:30 a.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
3 p.m. - Liturgy of the Word in English
6 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in English
7:30 p.m. - Ash Wednesday Mass in Spanish
Saint John Vianney, 800 W. Loma Linda Blvd., Goodyear
8 a.m. - Mass in English
Noon - Liturgy in English
4 p.m. - Mass in English
6 p.m. - Mass in Spanish
8 p.m. - Bilingual Mass
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Ash Wednesday: What to know about the first day of Lent in Phoenix
