A ‘SPRING clean for the soul’ was on offer in Ashburton.

The Rt Rev Mark Rylands, assistant bishop in the Diocese of Exeter and Vicar of Ashburton, was offering Ash Wednesday ashing and prayers of blessing to people passing by in Ashburton.

Bishop Mark describes Lent as ‘A spring clean for the soul’ so it was appropriate that the Ashing was taking place outside Churches ironmongers shop.

Ashing involves making the sign of the cross on someone’s forehead using ashes made from burning Easter palm crosses.

Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday.

Lent is the 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration.

The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him.

Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

To find out more, visit:

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/what-is-ash-wednesday-why-do-christians-celebrate-it.html