It’s Ash Wednesday. I’m working from Georgetown this morning at the Capital One Cafe and will walk a few blocks to St. Stephen Martyr for Mass at noon.

I’m thinking back to Shrove Tuesday one year ago. And to last night, which I spent with good people at the Catholic Information Center on K Street.

I had planned to share this first thing at the start of Lent, and the second thing was a surprise to read this morning and is worth sharing, too. The first thing:

“Lent should suggest to us these basic questions: Am I advancing in my faithfulness to Christ, in my desire for holiness, in a generous apostolate in my daily life, in my ordinary work among my colleagues?” —St. Josemaria Escriva

And the second thing is this Lenten White House Message:

For Catholics and many other Christians, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season that concludes with the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday.  Today, millions of Christians will be marked on their foreheads with the sign of the cross.  The imposition of ashes is an invitation to spend time during Lent fasting, praying, and engaging in acts of charity.  This powerful and sacred tradition reminds us of our shared mortality, Christ’s saving love, and the need to repent and accept the Gospel more fully.

We join in prayer with everyone observing this holy day and wish you a prayerful Lenten journey.  May you grow closer to God in your faith during this blessed season.