Ash Wednesday Celebration
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The University community bowing their heads in prayer at the beginning of 12 Noon Mass.
On Wednesday, February 18, the Seton Hall University community gathered in a special way for the beginning of the Holy Season of Lent, marked each year by Ash Wednesday. The 40-day journey is a time of drawing closer to God and one another through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. By receiving ashes on our foreheads each Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that, as we enter into the Lenten season, “we are dust and to dust we shall return”.
Many students, faculty, staff and administrators took a break from the busyness of their day to receive ashes at one of the University’s nine Masses across all three campuses. In total, close to 1400 people joined us for prayer. While the noon Mass at Bethany Hall was the largest Mass of the day, many of the afternoon Masses in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception had crowds of more than 200 people. The crowd was so large at the 5 p.m. Mass that people were standing outside to receive ashes and Communion! What a powerful witness to the ways in which the Holy Spirit is at work in the hearts of our University community members.
Father John Dennehy distributing ashes.
This powerful work of faith was expressed by Father Nick Sertich during his homily at the noon Mass. Father Nick conveyed how odd it is that so many people stop their busy day, in the middle of a busy week, to go get their foreheads dirty. The ashes on our forehead demonstrate that we are not perfect and that we do often sin and make poor choices. While we wear the ashes as a token of our brokenness, Father Nick expressed to the crowd that the washing away of our ashes at the end of the day is also a powerful reminder of the love of Christ, which cleanses us and washes away our sins. Father Nick’s words are a reminder of how we are called to humbly recognize our sinful nature and work to grow closer to the Lord throughout each of the 40 days of Lent.
Father Nick Sertich describing the meaning of the ashes we receive during his homily.
When asked about the importance of Ash Wednesday and what it means, individuals throughout the University offered a number of thoughts. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Jonathan Farina, Ph.D. said “Ash Wednesday reminds us of our earthliness and mortality, that we come from dust and to dust shall return, but this celebration of our ‘humility’ (a word rooted etymologically in the connection of humanity with humus, or soil) in turn refocuses me each year on the joys of life and care for others.” Following Mass, Dean Farina said he was left “thinking about my love of learning, of literature and of university life in general” and he was “inclined to think a little less about myself and my petty gripes and to think more instead about others.” Dean Farina’s words exemplify how although Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent is indeed a time of humility, simplicity and growth can be found in this holy season.
A student from the University community said “Ash Wednesday is important because it is a reminder of our brokenness but also of what Jesus has in store for us. Lent calls us to fully rend our hearts to the Lord in the hopes of growing closer to God and experiencing the full joy of the coming Easter season.” Indeed, Ash Wednesday and Lent are a time of great preparation for us all. May your Lent be filled with penance and fruitfulness as you prepare your hearts for Easter.
Categories: Faith and Service
