With a call to embrace the inner work of faith and transformation, Bishop Dennis Sullivan celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass on March 5 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden, marking the beginning of Lent as “this great season of God’s grace.”
“The work of Lent takes place within us,” he said to those gathered, which included Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Williams, and dozens of diocesan priests and faithful.
This work, he continued, involves “the heart – the self – the person.” Referencing the day’s reading from the Book of Joel, he highlighted the prophet’s command: “‘Return to me with your hearts. Rend your hearts, not your garments.’”
While ashes were distributed as a visible sign of the season, Bishop Sullivan emphasized that Lent is about more than external rituals. “The ashes signify that something will happen internally within us, in ourselves, during this penitential season,” he said.
This realization, he added, calls for a personal decision and action: “What are you going to do for Lent?” It also confronts believers with words that remind them of both their mortality and their mission.
“‘Remember you are dust, and unto dust you will return’ is a recollection of our inheritance from the first humans,” he said.
Similarly, he explained that “‘Repent and believe the Gospel’ is a call for repentance and for growing in the knowledge and understanding of the truth of the Gospel—that God sent us a Savior, Jesus Christ, whose death on the Cross and glorious Resurrection have saved us from the sin of the first human persons.”
Echoing the words of Saint Paul from the day’s second reading, Bishop Sullivan urged all to take action: “Now is the day of salvation; now is the acceptable time.”
“That’s ‘now’ – today – this Lent 2025. Not tomorrow. Not the next day. Now,” he stressed. “Return with your whole heart, having done whatever is necessary for your spiritual self during this Lent to rend your hearts and make them spiritually healthy.
“May God breathe into us new life in Christ so that at the end of Lent, Christ ‘may Easter in us.’”
Before his final blessing, Bishop Sullivan blessed the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowls, encouraging all to take the cardboard collection boxes home and use them as a catechetical opportunity for the younger generation.
“Take it home, put it on the table where the kids see it, let them ask questions, and encourage them to put in their dollars and quarters to combat malnourishment and hunger in the world,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Bishop Sullivan also celebrated an Ash Wednesday prayer service at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield.
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