ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The Rev. Gregory Mercurio of Holy Family Church in Lynn takes a break from preparing his church to talk about the season of Lent.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Christians across the city are participating in Ash Wednesday services today, marking the beginning of Lent and a season of fasting and prayer.
During Lent, Christians remember Jesus’ sacrifice and prepare for Easter with works of penance including fasting and abstinence, said Rev. Gregory Mercurio of The Holy Family Church.
“It’s an important time of year,” said Mercurio. “We can reflect on our lives, on our relationships with God, ourselves, and each other.”
The Holy Family Church, which is located on Bessom Street, will hold three separate Ash Wednesday services: an 8 a.m. Mass, and services at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Ashes will be distributed at each.
St. Pius V Parish, located on Maple Street, will hold a 7 a.m. Mass, 3 p.m. service, and 7 p.m. Mass, Mercurio said.
Mercurio said he expects that many more people will attend the Ash Wednesday services than what is typical.
“Even the service at 3 p.m. will be a lot of the younger crowd just getting out of school,” he said.
Mercurio said it’s important that the Ashes be distributed following a service to ensure it is meaningful.
“It has to be meaningful,” he said. “Otherwise, a symbol is just an empty symbol.”
Mercurio, who has been a priest for 35 years, said Christians choose to sacrifice something and show that it does not control them.
“It helps you grow to become a better person,” he said. “If you give up candy, you could give the money you would have spent on candy to a charity.”
Some of the most popular things Mercurio has heard of people abstaining from include candy and ice-cream.
“Some people stop using cell phones,” he said. “Or they won’t use computers as long.”
In addition to fasting, Lenten practices also include daily prayer and almsgiving.
The church requires all Catholics, 14 years of age and older, to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and each Friday during Lent. All Catholics between the ages of 18 to 60 are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and eat only one regular size meal and two smaller meals, without eating or snacking in-between, he said.
“You have to fast to identify with a person who doesn’t have too much to eat,” Mercurio said. “By fasting, it helps you associate with those who do not have (food).”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.