Ravensburg (dpa/lsw) – The colorful carnival hustle and bustle is over: For many Christians, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. At church services across the country, the transience of human beings is remembered. Afterwards, believers receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads and a personal blessing. In Ravensburg, men and women can also receive the blessing without a service. The St. Jodok Church offers the “ash cross to go” for this purpose, as the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart announced on Wednesday. Similar offers exist in other cities.
At a “blessing station” the believers are given a blessing and the ashes are scattered on their foreheads. According to the diocese, the format is primarily aimed at people who are looking for a short spiritual offer. The ashes symbolize the willingness to repent and turn around. With the 40 days of Lent, Christians prepare for Easter. Many people do without meat, alcohol or other pleasures.
