The atmosphere at St. Paul’s Church reflected a ritual observed worldwide as Rector Jean Beniste and Reverend Nancy Strong began administering ashes with the sign of the cross.
The Ash Wednesday service in downtown Concord marked the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period in the Christian calendar dedicated to fasting and spiritual preparation for Easter. A symbol of human mortality, the imposition of ashes serves as a reminder of the inevitability of death that moves believers to repentance.
During the following 40 days, many Christians will abstain from eating meat on Fridays and elect to forgo other pleasures of their choosing. Lenten practices end with Good Friday and Easter Sunday, days in the religious calendar that mark the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
St. Paul’s Church Rector Jean Beniste reads the Gospel of Matthew during a noon-time Ash Wednesday service at the church in downtown Concord on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor 
St. Paul’s Church Rector Jean Beniste (left) receives ashes from fellow Reverand Nancy Strong begin the imposition of ashes during a noon-time service at the church in downtown Concord on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor 
St. Paul’s Church Rector Jean Beniste reads the Gospel of Matthew during a noon-time Ash Wednesday service at the Episcopal church in downtown Concord on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent on the Christian calendar. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor 
St. Paul’s Church acolyte Signa Watts lights a candle to begin the Ash Wednesday service at the downtown Episcopal Church on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER / For the Monitor