Ash Wednesday marks beginning of Lent for St. Ferdinand parishioners
As Christians all over the world marked Ash Wednesday, local church leaders and their congregations were eager to recognize the start of the Lenten season.
At Divine Grace Parish’s St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry Township, parishioners gathered throughout the day to receive ashes, a visible reminder of human mortality and a call to turn to God.
“Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence. These customs reflect our communion amongst Catholics and our commitment to grow in holiness as we begin the season of Lent,” said Father Jim Wehner.
Ash Wednesday traces its roots to early Christian practices when ashes were used as a symbol of sorrow for sin and a desire for conversion.
The tradition evolved into the modern observance, which now marks the start of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer, fasting and giving modeled after Jesus Christ’s time spent in the desert.
Father Wehner said Divine Grace Parish’s scripture readers revolve on temptations, a message that he says is especially relevant today.
“As we begin our Lenten journey, ‘temptation’ is the theme of our Scripture readings,” he said. “As Adam and Eve fell to temptation, and as Jesus began his public ministry with Satan tempting him in the desert, we are called to reflect on how Satan tempts us today.”
During Ash Wednesday services, worshippers hear the words, “repent and believe,” as ashes are placed on their foreheads, a moment Father Wehner described as both humbling and hopeful.
“As we receive ashes on our foreheads, we hear the command, ‘repent and believe,’” he said.
His parish, the largest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, includes St. Ferdinand Church in Cranberry Township, St. Gregory Church in Zelienople and Holy Redeemer Church in Ellwood City. The parish serves 18,882 parishioners across 7,119 households.
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Deacon Don Pepe administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner, right, and Deacon Don Pepe, left, lead an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Deacon Don Pepe administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Deacon Don Pepe administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner, right, blesses the ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner, right, blesses the ashes during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner leads an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Deacon Don Pepe administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner leads an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner leads an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Worshippers attend an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Deacon Don Pepe administers an ash cross to the foreheads of worshippers during an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Worshippers attend an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Father Daniel Kushner, right, and Deacon Don Pepe, left, enter the nave at the start of an Ash Wednesday service at St. Ferdinand Church on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
