SCRANTON, Pa. — It's a holy day of prayer and fasting for many Christians around our area—Ash Wednesday.
St. Ann's Basilica in Scranton held services Wednesday morning.
At the start of Lent, the faithful were able to receive ashes on their foreheads as a sign of their mortality.
"It's the praising of the Christ. It's an important time, Lent. It's a sacrifice for everyone, a sacrifice for God," said one parishioner.
"I have to come for ashes. I give up a lot of stuff for Lent. I give up my cigars. I fast when I'm supposed to," said another person at the mass.
Ash Wednesday services were also held at St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton.
Bishop Joseph Bambera led the faithful through mass. Those attending received ashes as a sign of their mortality.
Kirk Stensrud is a student at Lackawanna College and says attending this Ash Wednesday mass was a must for him.
"It's always been something I do. My mom always makes sure to tell me where the closest mass is and what time to go, so I get my ashes done every year."
The noon mass at the cathedral drew a large crowd, something parishioners we spoke with were pleasantly surprised to see.
"I thought mass was wonderful. I like the crowd that was there because you don't get many people at church these days. So I think that was wonderful," Alice Cadden said.
"I think it's a beginning, a beginning for people to realize that we've got to get on board and do all the right things the good Lord wants us to do," Ronald Zaykowski said.
During the 40 days of Lent, some people choose to give up certain foods or even bad behaviors.
"Stop holding grudges, and that's what I did. I'm still, you know, I just became like, forgiving and all that because I know God would want me to," Samira Burley said.
Others said they plan on doing something extra during Lent.
"I'm a baseball player, so I'm going to really make sure to lock in for my season and like really, every day be like focus and intent, like more than I normally am," Stensrud added.
Christian churches throughout the area will observe Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent, a 40-day period leading up to the celebration of Easter on March 31.