Cathedral of St. Peter’s Ash Wednesday Mass includes prayers for Pope’s recovery

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten Season in Catholicism, one of the most religious seasons in the Catholic Church. And, with Pope Francis’ health failing, parishioners at Rockford’s Cathedral of St. Peter, at 1243 N Church Street, are hoping this season of prayer will help his recovery.

Many churches are holding mass all day.

“It’s a very basic and really low-key mass,” said Father Kenneth Anderson. “After the homily, we’ve bless ashes and we invite people to come forward and have ashes smudged on the forehead.”

The season encourages Catholics to repent of their sins and prepare their body for a feast at the end.

“It is one of the center seasons Lenten,” Fr. Anderson continued. “Easter is a time of penance and time of spiritually preparing ourselves to enter into the pastoral feasts.”

With Pope Francis’ health in decline, priests are praying that he will find strength in the coming days.

“I think most Catholics hope that he can recover fully and is able then to continue to lead us through Lent and also Easter as well,” Fr. Anderson said.

Between the prayers for the pope’s recovery, Fr. Anderson hopes that this Lent will be one of true faith and hope.

“A lot of times, we think holiness is simply being nice to people or avoiding some of the really big sins or something. It’s much, much more,” he explained. “It’s really having a deep relationship with God, loving God, and loving one another.”

The Diocese of Rockford is holding a “Be Reconciled Day” of confession from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at all 105 parishes in the diocese.