Lent & Ash Wednesday
Photo by Annika Gordon on Unsplash
Lent
For many Western Christians (Catholic and Protestant), the season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on Wednesday, February 18 this year. While there are theological differences among Christian traditions, Lent is often seen as a time to reflect and prepare for Easter.
In his Ash Wednesday message in 2023, Pope Francis wrote, “Lent is indeed the ‘favorable time’ to return to what is essential, to divest ourselves of all that weighs us down, to be reconciled with God, and to rekindle the fire of the Holy Spirit hidden beneath the ashes of our frail humanity. Return to what is essential… How many distractions and trifles distract us from the things that really count! How often do we get caught up in our own wants and needs, lose sight of the heart of the matter, and fail to embrace the true meaning of our lives in this world! Lent is a time of truth, a time to drop the masks we put on each day to appear perfect in the eyes of the world. It is a time, as Jesus said in the Gospel, to reject lies and hypocrisy: not those of others, but of ourselves: We look them in the eye and resist them.”
Throughout Lent, Christians may have different practices to help them focus on their faith lives. Some may refrain from eating meat on Friday (leading to many fish fries on Fridays) or participate in other fasting practices, including fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Some may choose to refrain from something while others may choose to add something to their daily life. Practices might include dedicated Bible study and/or devotion studies, a new or more involved prayer practice, donating more to charity (sometimes called almsgiving), changing daily practices (perhaps less screen time, mindful eating, or adding physical activity). All of these practices aim to deepen and strength spiritual health and remove distractions to one’s faith journey.
Eastern Christianity uses a different calendar and has some differences in the season and observances. Called Great Lent, the season begins on Clean Monday and doesn’t include Ash Wednesday. This year, Clean Monday is on February 23, and Lent continues with numerous observances, concluding with Holy Week. Great Lent also includes similar themes of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. The Feast of Great and Holy Pascha (Easter) and will be on Sunday, April 11 this year.
Ash Wednesday at Michigan Medicine
Our chaplains and volunteers will be available to offer ashes to patients, family members, and care team members on Ash Wednesday. They will be visiting inpatient units throughout the day to provide ashes. If you are in another setting on the medical campus, you may also call the Department of Spiritual Care at 734-936-4041 and request a chaplain to provide ashes. Please leave your name, contact info, and a preferred time, and we will do our best to accommodate the request.
One of our Michigan Medicine Catholic priests will be in the Delores “Dee” Soderquist Brehm Chapel in University Hospital at noon to offer ashes. Ashes will also be left in this chapel, the Mike and Helen Vlasic Family Chapel in Mott, and the chapel in the Pavilion with instructions on how to receive ashes.
Team members might consider wishing a “blessed Ash Wednesday” to those who are observing. Some Catholic Christians may also be fasting on Ash Wednesday.
Our chaplains remain available to meet with patients, family members, and members of the Michigan Medicine community to discuss your spiritual journeys and any distress or discernment you may be experiencing.
Fasting
For those fasting on Good Friday, there will be a room available on UHS 8 for you to reflect and recharge so that you may take breaks in a place where food is not being served or consumed. The chapels will also remain available for this.