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STAMFORD, Conn. There was no need to be late for work for Christians looking to fill their religious obligations and receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, as a group of seminarians from the Yale Divinity School handed out ashes at the Stamford Transportation Center.
A lot of people are really grateful to have them offered here, Eric Gregory, one of the seminarians, said between giving ashes. He added that a few people have told him that seeing the students reminded them of their spiritual life and encouraged them to get ashes.
Another divinity student, Otis Gaddis III, said the seminarians have been received well because they were not being intrusive, and if people wanted to walk past them, they could. He added that part of what the group likes to do is talk to people and find God in others, and it helps them see his presence in their lives.
We like being surprised, Gaddis said with a huge smile on his face as he stood in the front entrance of the Transportation Center.
Gaddis described Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent as a time for spiritual self-cleaning and said people should open themselves up to new opportunities. He also said people should not be afraid to give up old habits that were good in the past but are no longer helping them. He compared it to getting rid of old clothes.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which helps prepare Christians for Easter through penance, reflection and fasting, according to Catholic.org. The ashes are made from the palms used on Palm Sunday the previous year and applied to peoples foreheads.
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