PHOTO STORY: Ash Wednesday draws crowds at St Mary’s Cathedral

01 Mar 2017

By The Record

St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Mgr Michael Keating blesses the ashes during Mass on Wednesday 1 March, marking the start of the season of Lent. Photo: Josh Low
St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Mgr Michael Keating blesses the ashes during Mass on Wednesday 1 March, marking the start of the season of Lent. Photo: Josh Low

As Christians we know we are called to live life to the full and during the season of Lent, this joyful season, we are called to give expression to the greatest commandment of the law, the love of God and the love of our neighbour.

St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Mgr Michael Keating blesses the ashes during Mass on Wednesday 1 March, marking the start of the season of Lent. Photo: Josh Low

These were the words of St Mary’s Cathedral Dean Mgr Michael Keating at this week’s Ash Wednesday Mass where some 2000 people gathered throughout the day to receive the ashes marking the commencement of Lent.

Fr Peter Bianchini marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of a participant on this year’s Ash Wednesday Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, 1 March, with the words, ‘From Dust You are and to Dust you shall return’. Photo: Josh Low

The 12.10pm Mass was concelebrated with St Mary’s Cathedral Assistant Priest Fr Jeffey Casabuena and Fr Peter Bianchini.

“This Lent, after the ash is washed away and we move through this journey to Easter, let us hold in our prayers the oppressed, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the captive, the prisoner,” Mgr Keating said.