Lent Begins: Celebrate Ash Wednesday in St. Charles

Patch has a look at where services will be held Wednesday.

The Lenten season begins for Christians tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 13. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of 40 days of prayer and reflection before the Easter holiday. Here is look at 2013 Ash Wednesday services in St. Charles, St. Peters, O'Fallon and Wentzville. St. Charles St. Cletus Catholic Church St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church Saint Peter Catholic Church of St. Charles St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church St Charles Borromeo Catholic Parish St. Peters All Saints Roman Catholic Church Sts Joachim and Ann  O'Fallon Assumption Catholic Church Immaculate Conception Church of Dardenne Lake Saint Louis/Wentzville St. Patrick Church Saint Theodore Church

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Faith Matters

Christians in Many St. Charles Churches Mark the Beginning of Lent

Traditions associated with Ash Wednesday are relevant.

Religion has tradition. During Lent--these 40 days before Easter, not including Sundays in the count--I want tradition. Last Wednesday, March 9, was Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The word Lent comes from the Old English word for “lengthen” since in the springtime, the days get longer. Although the day is called Ash Wednesday, not every church offers the imposition of ashes, that placing of the sign of the cross on the forehead or back of the hand using ash. I went in search of ashes and tradition. I attended the noon Ash Wednesday service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 318 S. Duchesne Drive in St. Charles.  As I walked in the door, I saw the color purple--the traditional color of Lent. The altar cloth and other sanctuary …

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