Ash Wednesday
the first day of Lent

Penitential Office for use with the devotional office of readings and collect and, or with the Litany

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent; Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This Collect is to be said every day in Lent, after the Collect appointed for the day, until Palm Sunday.

Joel ii. 12 Psalm 51 & St. Matthew vi. 16

rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. In many churches you will see the liturgical color of purple displayed -- being the color for penitential seasons. In these seasons there has traditionally been an emphasis on confession, contrition, and penance for our sinfulness. In the coming days, the Church asks you to closely examine yourself, and to exercise self-discipline in the weeks ahead as a form of preparation for the Feast of The Resurrection on Easter Morning – the feast that reminds us that Christ died for us for the remission of our sins.

read the rest of the homily here http://www.orderofcenturions.org/documents/ashwednesday.html




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