AWAY WITH ALL MARKS
Greeting
The peace and reconciliation
of the merciful Father
be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
In many regions of the world people celebrate carnival in the days before Lent with much noise and merrymaking. Often they wear masks for the occasion. But today Lent begins, the time to put off our masks and to turn our face and heart to God and to people. In this holy season we reflect on the true meaning of our lives. Who am I and what am I living for? Am I living for God and the community? We shall be invited to receive ashes on our foreheads with the invitation, "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." Away, then, with all masks and return to God, to your true self and to one another as God's people.
Note. The penitential rite is omitted, since the rite of the ashes is a rite of penance and conversion.