Many Christians will head to church today in observance of Ash Wednesday | News

The celebration of Fat Tuesday is over and many Christians will be going to church today in observance of Ash Wednesday and one church in Rochester is already open.

News10NBC was at Saint Monica's Church off of Genesee Street when it opened at midnight. You can receive ashes at Saint Monica’s all day until 7 p.m.
 
We spoke with some Ash Wednesday early birds about their midnight Ash Wednesday experience.

Richard Lourette said, “You go year-in and year-out and you do the same thing each year. After awhile it becomes not a meaningless ritual, but just a ritual and if you can find something that ignites your faith in any way, why not make use of it?”

During Ash Wednesday, a sign of the cross on is placed on the forehead symbolizing the need to repent.

Lent is a 40-day period of spiritual reflection and fasting in preparation for Easter.

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