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A sign of faith
By TIMES WIRES
Published February 22, 2007
The faithful across the bay area went to Ash Wednesday services, like this one at St. Petersburg Catholic High School, to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting, penance and almsgiving that precedes Easter. Smearing of ashes on the forehead, a practice observed by Catholics and some Protestants, symbolizes mortality and the frailty of humanity. Math teacher Olena Spridgeon, left, says she is giving up alcohol for Lent. "Lent for me is a time to cleanse yourself and to better yourself, whether you are a teacher, student, wife, husband or whatever it is that is important to you," she said.
[Last modified February 22, 2007, 01:25:28]
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by David
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10/19/07 06:35 PM
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Yes i agree the "smear" is not the right choice of vocabulary. Ash Wednesday is a time to look at our own humanity, because from ashes we were made and to ashes we will return
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by Jason
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02/22/07 10:16 AM
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I really don't like the "smeared" comment. They are put on the forehead as the sign of the Cross.
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by TOM
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02/22/07 08:32 AM
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The ashes are not "smeared." A sign of the cross is made on the forehead with them.
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