BRUNSWICK

For many Christians today is Ash Wednesday and it marks the beginning of the church season of Lent. It is a time when parishioners step forward and receive the mark of the cross on their forehead to remind them of their own mortality.

Lent is a 40-day season on the church calendar, leading up to Good Friday and finally Easter, marking the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus in the Christian faith.

Martha Corkery, pastoral life coordinator for All Saints Parish, described Ash Wednesday for Catholics as the beginning of a journey, going deeper into their relationship with Jesus. Corkery said the 40 days is reflective of an account in the Gospels of Jesus’ time in the desert — a time when Christian scriptures say he was tested by the devil.

Corkery said when the sign of the cross is placed on a worshipper’s forehead, the act is accompanied by the words, “Dust you are. To dust you shall return,” or “Repent and follow the Gospels.”

Corkery said the ashes, made from burning the palm leaves from the previous Palm Sunday, are blessed by the priest as well — but please don’t ask for your ashes to-go.

“It’s not something where you walk in and say, can I have some ashes please, and we’ve had people try to do that before too,” Corkery said.

Others have tried to bypass the Mass by calling ahead and asking if the ashes are given at the beginning or after the Mass. Corkery said that the ashes are a part of the Mass and are given in the middle, around the time of the Eucharist.

Even though some have tried to avoid staying for Mass, Corkery said Ash Wednesday is one of their bigger events and although not considered a day of obligation among Catholics, turnout has always been impressive.

“It’s very interesting that it’s something that a lot of people seem to relate to and they may not come to church on a regular basis but they don’t miss the day they come to get ashes,” Corkery said.

Corkery said the season of Lent is all about simplicity. The music played isn’t so grandiose and the vestments are rather minimalist.

“It also is a time for self reflection, thinking about what we need to do ourselves, with our lives to walk closer with Jesus and that’s really what Lent is about and Ash Wednesday heralds the beginning of that. It’s a day we’re reminded of our mortality and no, we’re not God and we’re not invincible and that’s how we try to lead the rest of the 40 days that follow, leading up to Easter,” Corkery said.

As a side benefit, the ashes that are left on the forehead become a talking point. Whether it’s someone pointing out a dirt smudge or just asking what the cross is for, Corkery said people often end up spending the day talking openly about their faith.

As part of this time for reflection, Catholics are also encouraged to fast on Ash Wednesday — having one large meal and other small meals if necessary. Meat is also off the menu for the day.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

Today’s Masses

• BRUNSWICK

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen St. — Masses at 12:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant St. — Mass at 5:30 p.m.

• CAMPUS MINISTRY

Bowdoin College Chapel — Mass at 9 p.m.

• FREEPORT

St. Jude Church, 134 Main St. — Mass at 6:30 p.m.

• LISBON FALLS

Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Ave. — Mass at 5:30 p.m.

• RICHMOND

St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball St. — Mass at 6 p.m.