Pope ushering in Lent with traditional Ash Wednesday ceremony

(March 08, 2011) As Catholics worldwide enter the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday on March 9, Pope Benedict XVI will lead the traditional Ash Wednesday procession in Rome from the church of St. Anselm on the Aventine Hill to the basilica of Santa Sabina. Vatican officials will join the Pontiff in the penitential procession that marks the first day of Lent. As Santa Sabina, the Holy Father will preside at Mass, followed by the blessing and imposition of ashes as a sign of penance. Lent is a period of 40 weekdays marked by prayer, penance, fasting and good works, as spiritual preparation for Christianity’s greatest feast – Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The Vatican, last month released Pope Benedict XVI’s message for this year’s Lent saying the 40-preparation for Easter is a time for self-examination and to let go of all traces of selfishness, which is the root of violence. "The greed of possession leads to violence, exploitation and death," which is why during Lent the church encourages almsgiving, "which is the capacity to share," the Pope wrote in his annual message.