Ash Wednesday Liturgy

This morning we marked the beginning of the Church’s season of Lent with a meaningful Ash Wednesday liturgy.

Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, is a time for reflection and renewal. The ashes on our foreheads serve as a powerful symbol of faith and humility. Throughout Lent, we are called to engage in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – prayer deepens our relationship with God, fasting fosters solidarity with those in need, and almsgiving reflects our commitment to justice and gratitude.

The Liturgy was held in the Arc, led by Father Albert alongside our College Captains and the Executive Team, and streamed to the whole school.  Thank you to our Year 12 College Captains for distributing the ashes to all students and staff.

Reflection

During the liturgy, Father Albert delivered an impactful homily calling us all to love and action. Please see the reflection below:

Justice in Service – A Lenten Call to Love and Action

Dear students, teachers, and members of our Servite family, today we begin a very special season – Lent. Lent is a sacred season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, calling us to repentance and renewal in preparation for Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, a day marked by the solemn imposition of ashes on our forehead. These ashes, a symbol of our mortality and need for conversion, remind us of the words spoken in scripture: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). They invite us to turn away from sin and embrace the Gospel.

The practice of receiving ashes is rooted in biblical tradition, where ashes signified mourning, humility, and repentance (cf. Jonah 3:6, Job 42:6). By wearing ashes, we acknowledge our dependence on God’s mercy and commit ourselves to spiritual renewal.

The ashes we receive today are not just a sign on our foreheads; they are a reminder in our hearts. They tell us: We belong to God. We are called to live with love, humility, and justice. 

Lent is a time for us to reflect, to pray, and to grow closer to God. This year is Jubilee Year; we are reminded of something very important: Justice in Service.

1. Ash Wednesday: A Call to Change

The Lord tells us through prophet Joel:

“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

Lent is not only about giving up sweets or playing fewer video games or going off some bad habits. It is about changing our hearts – becoming more like Jesus, who served others with justice and love.

When we hear the words “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” we realise that life is a gift. What matters most is not what we own, but how we love and serve others. 

2. The Servite Charism: Living Justice in Service

As Servite family, we follow the example of Mary, Mother of Sorrows, and the Seven Holy Founders. They chose a life of prayer, compassion, and service to those in need.

But what does justice in service mean for us?

• Justice means treating everyone with fairness, respect, and love. It means standing up for what is right.
• Service means using our hands, our hearts and our time to help others, especially those who are struggling.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel:

“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (Matthew 6:3)

True service is not about showing off; it is about loving quietly, humbly, and generously.

3. How Can We Live in Service This Lent?

This Lent, I invite you to practice justice in service in three simple ways:

1. Prayer – Talk to God Every Day via personnel prayer or meditation

• Ask God to help you see the needs of others.
• Pray for those who suffer from injustice – like the poor, the sick, or those who feel lonely.

2. Fasting – Give Up Something for Others

• Fasting is not just about food; it’s about letting go of selfishness
• Maybe give up complaining and choose gratiftue instead.
• Maybe fast from gossip and speak kind words

3. Almsgiving – Share What You Have

• Help someone who is struggling in our school, maybe in your classroom or homeroom
• Give a small act of kindness – a smile, a helping hand, a word of encouragement.
• Conclusion: A Servite Heart for Lend

Today as you receive the ashes, remember that Lent is a journey of love and justice. We are called to serve like Jesus, to love like Mary and to bring justice to the world through small acts of kindness like our Seven Holy Founders. Let this Jubilee Year be a time of renewal – a time when we, as a Servite School, truly live our faith. May our hearts be full of justice, our hands be full of service, and our lives be full of God’s love. We all have One Life, One Chance, One Moment and let us live it for our One God.

Amen.