Ash Wednesday - March 2, 2022

[Music] [Applause] [Music] how can we keep this [Music] [Applause] this lent which binds us lovingly [Music] [Applause] which in these last days [Music] let us make the words we speak the food we take our sleep our laughter every sense learn peace [Music] our spirit [Music] me [Applause] praise [Music] is is [Music] in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit amen the grace of our lord jesus christ and the love of god and the communion of the holy spirit be with you all let us pray grant oh lord that we may begin with holy fasting this campaign of christian service so that as we take up battle against spiritual evils we may be armed with weapons of self-restraint through our lord jesus christ your son who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit god forever and ever a reading from the book of the prophet joel even now says the lord return to me with your whole heart with fasting and weeping and mourning rend your hearts not your garments and return to the lord your god for gracious and merciful is he slow to anger rich in kindness and relenting and punishment perhaps he will again relent and leave behind him a blessing offerings and libations for the lord your god blow the trumpet in zion proclaim a fast call an assembly gather the people notify the congregation assemble the elders gather the children and the infants at the breast let the bridegroom quit his room and the bride her chamber between the porch and the altar let the priests the ministers of the lord weep and say spare o lord your people and make not your heritage a reproach with the nations ruling over them why should they say among the peoples where is their god then the lord was stirred to concern for his land and took people pity on his people the word of the lord [Music] be merciful o lord for we have sinned in mercy have mercy on me o god in your goodness in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense [Music] is [Music] lord for i acknowledge my offense and my sin is before me always [Music] is [Music] lord for we are a clean heart create for me o god and a steadfast spirit ring within me [Music] and your holy spirit [Music] give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustaining me [Music] [Applause] lord for me [Music] [Applause] a reading from the second letter of saint paul to the corinthians brothers and sisters we are ambassadors for christ as if god were appealing through us we implore you on behalf of christ be reconciled to god for our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin so that we might become the righteousness of god in him working together then we appeal to you not to receive the grace of god in vain for he says in an acceptable time i heard you and on the day of salvation i helped you behold now is a very acceptable time behold now is the day of salvation the word of the lord [Music] you right jesus [Music] is [Music] is the lord be with you a reading from the holy gospel according to matthew jesus said to his disciples take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them otherwise you will have no recompense from your heavenly father when you give alms do not blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of amen others say to you they have received their reward but when you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right is doing so that your almsgiving may be secret and your father who sees in secret will repay you when you pray do not be like the hypocrites who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them amen i say to you they have received their reward but when you pray go to your inner room close the door and pray to your father in secret and your father who sees in secret will repay you when you fast do not look gloomy like the hypocrites they neglect their appearance so that they may appear to others to be fasting amen i say to you they have received their reward but when you fast anoint your head and wash your face so that you may not appear to be fasting except to your father who is hidden and your father who sees what is hidden will repay you the gospel of the lord you my mother often said that the older you get the faster time goes by some of you with us this afternoon may readily affirm the truth of these words and i was reminded of my mother's adage because here we are at the beginning of lent and at least for me it seems as though the first two months of 2022 have gone by rather quickly so i guess that this is yet another sign that i am getting old what i will also add to my age are the many lengths gone by thinking about what i should do for that particular lens i should give up what i should do more and asking the question how will this lend be different from the last having lived with a masked mandate and chronovirus limitations for nearly two years seemed like a perpetual lent to me and wearing a mask for many myself included was truly a great penance i am quite pleased that as of yesterday the mass requirement was lifted here in the district of columbia now not only can i see your faces but we can all breathe rather freely yesterday was mardi gras and traditionally beads of purple green and gold representing the christian symbolism of justice faith and power are worn as a type of armor entering lent but to not have to wear a mask is like easter come early however easter is not here and lent has just begun after living with so many coronavirus restrictions entering lent might feel as though we are being restricted once again but lent however is less about restrictions and more about new life of course we have our london practices of prayer fasting and works of mercy which to some may feel like a constraint however just like the mask mandate was meant to keep us and others healthy our lenten observances are meant to help us become spiritually healthy help us to grow in holiness and draw us closer to the lord those works of prayer fasting and works of mercy are our spiritual beings our spiritual armor and on this ash wednesday we hear the prophet joel summon us to render our hearts and return to the lord our god saint paul implores us to be reconciled to god and in the gospel jesus tells us how we are to go about our lenten fast in his message for lent 2022 pope francis observes that lent invites us to conversion to a change of mindset because you are all in church this afternoon it is easy to presume that you are all believers and so your return to the lord might be better characterized as a turning more toward the lord and that is where the conversion the change of mindset that pope francis speaks of comes into play just because we are believers does not mean that we are perfect because we are human that means that we are imperfect we all have faults we have our flaws and we have our weaknesses we probably all sin several times a day in thought word and indeed lent is our time to correct these imperfections and walk along the path that helps us to become perfect just as our heavenly father is perfect the traditional practices of prayer fasting and works of mercy help us along this path and in the words of pope francis fortifies our spirit for the battle against sin but we must do our part you all you are all here this afternoon to receive ashes on your forehead and i like to remind people every ash wednesday that the ashes are not magic the ashes will not convert us the ashes will not make us holy and the ashes will not change our mindset that is all up to us the ashes are simply an exterior expression of an interior design and desire to change the ashes are a first step the rest is on our shoulders the question many ask at the onset of lent is what are you doing for lent you may have already decided what your lenten fast may be but at the beginning of this lens i simply suggest that whatever you're going to do for lent make certain that it will bring you closer to the lord and contribute to your eternal salvation lent is a time for us to walk closer to the lord not away from him this ash wednesday has been designated by pope francis as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the ukraine encouraging all believers to offer special sacrifice on behalf of the ukrainian people who fight to save their homeland and implore god to bring peace to this troubled region in solidarity with the people of the ukraine since sunday night the facade of mary shrine has been lit with colors of the ukrainian flag inviting all who pass by the shrine at night to raise a prayer for peace in the ukraine we should also pray for the people of russia who are being affected especially the soldiers who are someone's child and probably did not volunteer for this mission they are hurting too at the beginning of my homily i said that my mother often spoke of time going by too fast at the beginning of lent the thought of 40 days of fasting good works sounds endless but reality is six weeks is going to go by rather fast and so on ash wednesday we are called to embrace this moment that god has given us this acceptable time to draw closer to god and in the words which we will now pray for the blessing of ashes through a steadfast observance of lent gain pardon for our sins and newness of life thank you dear brothers and sisters let us humbly ask god our father that he be pleased to bless with the abundance of his grace these ashes which we will put on our heads in penitence oh god who desire not the death of sinners but their conversion mercifully hear our prayers and in your kindness be pleased to bless these ashes which we intend to receive on our heads that we who acknowledge we are but ashes and shall return to dust may through a steadfast observance of lent gain pardon for sins and newness of life after the resurrection after the likeness of your risen son who lives and reigns forever and ever please [Music] said is [Music] [Music] is [Music] is [Music] oh my god [Music] promises [Music] since then is [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] me [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] us [Music] ah [Music] is [Music] me [Music] everything's [Music] is [Music] [Applause] [Music] is [Music] let's speed for preachers [Music] r [Music] me [Music] [Applause] the glasses [Music] [Music] r please [Music] so trusting in god's infinite mercy let us now turn to god with these our requests for all members of the church on earth that our example during lent will reveal to the world the truth of christ's redeeming love let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for all who are entrusted with public office may their service advance the common good and bring relief to those who are in need let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer that the sacrifices we offer this lent will bear spiritual fruit in our lives and in the lives of others let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer that god will call many to serve his church as priests deacons and consecrated religious let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer for the intentions of our pilgrims and benefactors and for the intentions they have entrusted to the shrine's lenten remembrance let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer that all who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again may come into the light of god's presence let us pray to the lord lord hear our prayer father in heaven made this season of repentance bring us the blessing of your forgiveness and the gift of your eternal peace through christ our lord amen we invite you to join in support of the ministry of the basilica of the national shrine during the unprecedented days where our ministry has been greatly limited your contributions are all the more appreciated thank you for being as generous as your means allow [Music] is [Music] is [Music] is [Music] foreign [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] so [Music] pray brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god the almighty father as we solemnly offer the annual sacrifice for the beginning of lent we entreat you o lord that through works of penance and charity we may turn away from harmful pleasures and cleanse from our sins may become worthy to celebrate devoutly the passion of your son who lives and reigns forever and ever the lord be with you lift up your hearts [Music] let us give thanks to the lord our god [Music] it is truly right and just our duty and our salvation [Music] always and everywhere to give you thanks lord holy father almighty and eternal god for you will that our self-denial should give you thanks humble our sinful pride contribute to the feeding of the poor and so help us imitate you in your kindness and so we glorify you with countless angels as with one voice of praise [Music] r blessed is [Music] you are indeed holy o lord and all you have created rightly gives you praise for through your son our lord jesus christ by the power and working of the holy spirit you give life to all things and make them holy and you never cease to gather a people to yourself so that from the rising of the sun to its setting a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name therefore o lord we humbly implore you by the same spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration that they may become the body and blood of your son our lord jesus christ at whose command we celebrate these mysteries for on the night he was betrayed he himself took bread and giving you thanks he said the blessing broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying take this all of you and eat of it for this is my body which will be given up for you [Music] in a similar way when supper was ended he took the chalice and giving you thanks he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples saying take this all of you and drink from it for this is the chalice of my blood the blood of the new and eternal covenant which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins do this in memory of me the mystery of faith [Music] [Applause] me therefore o lord as we celebrate the memorial of the saving passion of your son his wondrous resurrection and ascension into heaven and as we look forward to a second coming we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice look we pray upon the oblation of your church and recognizing the sacrificial victim by whose death you will to reconcile us to yourself grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your son and filled with his holy spirit may become one body one spirit in christ may make of us an eternal offering to you so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect especially with the most blessed virgin mary mother of god but blessed joseph her spouse with your blessed apostles and glorious martyrs and with all the saints on his constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help may the sacrifice of our reconciliation we pray oh lord advance the peace and salvation of all the world be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim church on earth with your servant francis our pope and wilton our bishop the order of bishops all the clergy and the entire people you have gained for your own listen graciously to the prayers of this family whom you have summoned before you in your compassion o merciful father gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world to our departed brothers and sisters and to all who are pleasing to you after passing from this life give kind admittance to your kingdom there we hope to enjoy forever the fullness of your glory through christ our lord through whom we bestow on the world all that is good through him and with him and in him o god almighty father in the unity of the holy spirit all glory and honor is yours for ever and forever [Music] at the savior's command and formed by divine teaching we dare to say our father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil deliver us lord we pray from every evil graciously grant peace in our days that by the help of your mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our savior jesus christ lord jesus christ who said to your apostles peace i leave you my peace i give you look not on our sins but on the faith of your church and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will who live and reign for ever and ever amen the peace of the lord be with you always [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] uh [Music] is storms [Music] behold the lamb of god behold him who takes away the sins of the world blessed are those called to the supper of the lamb lord i am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed [Music] [Music] [Music] my soul is thirsting for the lord when shall i see him face to face [Music] is [Music] so my soul is yearning for you my god is [Music] my soul is thirsting for god the god of my life when can i enter and see the face of god is [Music] my tears have become my bread by night by day as i hear it said all the day long where's your god my soul is is [Music] [Music] oh [Music] is [Music] r [Music] oh is [Music] is [Music] [Music] [Music] stations of the cross will be celebrated on saturdays during the season of lent in the crypt church immediately following the regularly scheduled 12 10 p.m daily mass the basilica will celebrate sung vespers beginning this sunday march 6th and on every sunday inlet at 4 pm this sunday vespers will be in the crypt church followed by the 4 30 pm mass also in the crypt church we invite you to join us for this special celebration of evening prayer during the lenten season let us pray may the sacrament we have received sustain us o lord that our lenten fast may be pleasing to you and be for us a healthy remedy through christ our lord amen the lord be with you and with your spirit may almighty god bless you the father the son and the holy spirit amen go in peace glorifying the lord by your life thanks be to god [Music] forty days [Music] days [Music] and from worldly joys [Applause] strong with you to solve [Music] victor in the wilderness [Music] peace [Music] keep [Music] up we [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] you

Channel: National Shrine

Views: 10,255

Keywords: Basilica Special Livestream, Ash Wednesday, Catholic Mass, Mass March 2 2022, March 2 2022 Mass, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, National Shrine, Mary’s Shrine, Basilica in D.C., Mass at the Basilica, Choir of the Basilica

Id: vS2pS_i_OYQ

Length: 71min 52sec (4312 seconds)

Published: Wed Mar 02 2022