Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Father Peter Purpura, rector of St. James Cathedral-Basilica, were the celebrants of the Ash Wednesday noontime Mass at the Downtown Brooklyn cathedral, March 6.

Father Michael Sweeney, pastor of St. Michael’s, distributed ashes for the faithful at the Sunset Park parish.

Diocesan staff and guests celebrated the Ash Wednesday liturgy at the Prospect Park chapel.

Msgr. Kieran Harrington, vicar for communications for the Diocese of Brooklyn, celebrated the noontime Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Prospect Heights.

The day marked the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter.

(Photos: Ed Wilkinson, Matthew O’Connor, Melissa Enaje, Ely Sorano)

Cardinal Dolan Visits Rikers

Cardinal Dolan was part of the Ash Wednesday Mass on Rikers Island, New York City, distributing the blessed ashes and offering communion.  During his homily, the cardinal hit home with an important message.

He said, “We’re all in prison. We are given a sentence of death we are handcuffed by our sins. We are locked into the cell of selfishness. We are desperate for release, we crave freedom.”