The Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Celebrates Ash Wednesday

The Huguennot Memorial Church in Pelham celebrated Ash Wednesday, a Christian tradition that marks the beginning of Lent.

Christians engage in repentance and fasting or “giving something up” for 40 days to represent Jesus’ fasting for 40 days in the desert, while he denied Satan’s temptations. The period of discipline is meant to remember Jesus’ sacrifice of his life, the gift of redemption, as well as his resurrection. 

On Ash Wednesday, practitioners wear ashes on their forehead as an act of humility.

They describe fasting as eating one full meal a day—with two smaller meals during the day for strength that do not equal a full meal together. This is suggested for those who are 18 to 59. Fasting is recommended on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Abstaining requires one to pass on eating meat on certain days, like Ash Wednesday, Fridays during Lent.