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The Ashes: Family Reflection Video

The Ashes: Family Reflection Video

Seasonal Reflections

“Hey, the Catholics are giving out ashes!”

We begin Lent with ashes on our foreheads. What does this smudge mean? Perhaps the heart understands better than the head because more people go to church on Ash Wednesday than any other day of the year including Christmas and Easter.

Why are the ashes so popular?

I think you’ll agree Father Ron Rolheiser does of beautiful job of describing this for us. We can all relate to Cinderella. This fairy tale reminds us of the value of ashes. Suffering that leads to a new day, a fuller life … beyond our wildest dreams. 

About Father Willy Raymond, C.S.C.

Father Wilfred J. Raymond, C.S.C. (Father Willy), a native of Old Town, Maine, is the eighth of 12 children. He joined the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1964 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Stonehill College in 1967 and a master’s in Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1971. He served in ministry at Stonehill College (1979-1992), Holy Cross leadership (1994-2000), National Director of Family Theater Productions, Hollywood (2000-2014), and President of Holy Cross Family Ministries (2014-2022). In addition to English, he is conversant in French and Spanish. He remains a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox, even though he has served as Chaplain for the Los Angeles Dodgers.