Pocono News Section

Christians Observe Ash Wednesday

Christians Observe Ash Wednesday - Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 4:40PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Christians worldwide marked the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
Eyewitness News was at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton as dozens of people got up early to attend 6:30 mass. Many Catholics will have a priest smear ashes on their forehead to symbolize mourning and mortality.

The occasion is marked by 40 days of penance, reflection and fasting ahead of Easter Sunday. Jim Gibbons said, “Well the whole idea is sacrifice. You give something up like candy or sweets or focus on helping those in your neighborhood or your community.”

The Lenten season ends with the celebration of Easter Sunday, April 12th.