Diocesan Lenten Retreat
From 09:00 to 14:00Ash Wednesday — The Beginning of Lent Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred season of forty days set apart for prayer, fasting, and repentance. The tradition of ashes reaches deep into the scriptures — from Job sitting in dust and ashes before the Lord, to the people of Nineveh who covered themselves in sackcloth and ash at the preaching of Jonah. Ashes have always been the language of the humble heart, the outward sign of a soul turning back to God. The forty-day fast itself echoes some of the most decisive moments in salvation history. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai before receiving the Law. Elijah walked forty days to the mountain of God at Horeb. And Our Lord himself was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days of fasting and prayer before beginning his public ministry. When we enter Lent, we are not simply observing a tradition — we are walking in the footsteps of those who emptied themselves so that God could fill them. This Lent, the Diocese of Pembroke invites you to deepen your journey through the Diocesan Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 21 at Saint James the Less Parish Hall in Eganville. The day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and includes Mass, presentations, time for prayer and confessions, and a provided lunch. Cost is $15.00 per person. To register, contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com or 613-732-7933 ext. 206. Registration deadline: February 18.
Ash Wednesday — The Beginning of Lent
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred season of forty days set apart for prayer, fasting, and repentance. The tradition of ashes reaches deep into the scriptures — from Job sitting in dust and ashes before the Lord, to the people of Nineveh who covered themselves in sackcloth and ash at the preaching of Jonah. Ashes have always been the language of the humble heart, the outward sign of a soul turning back to God.
The forty-day fast itself echoes some of the most decisive moments in salvation history. Moses fasted forty days on Sinai before receiving the Law. Elijah walked forty days to the mountain of God at Horeb. And Our Lord himself was led by the Spirit into the desert for forty days of fasting and prayer before beginning his public ministry. When we enter Lent, we are not simply observing a tradition — we are walking in the footsteps of those who emptied themselves so that God could fill them.
This Lent, the Diocese of Pembroke invites you to deepen your journey through the Diocesan Lenten Retreat on Saturday, February 21 at Saint James the Less Parish Hall in Eganville. The day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and includes Mass, presentations, time for prayer and confessions, and a provided lunch. Cost is $15.00 per person. To register, contact Deacon Adrien Chaput at dcadrienchaput@pembrokediocese.com or 613-732-7933 ext. 206. Registration deadline: February 18.