There is freedom in following Christ, Archbishop Vigneron says on Ash Wednesday

Members of Ukrainian Catholic church choir sing during somber liturgy; archbishop, congregation pray for peace amid ongoing Russian invasion

DETROIT — Presenting oneself as a sinner and accepting ashes is a mark of freedom, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron said, a proclamation that one freely chooses to follow Christ and resist the powers of the world.

The archbishop celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass on March 2 at St. Aloysius Parish in downtown Detroit during a time of great political tension, both abroad and at home.

People are questioning what it means to be free, Archbishop Vigneron acknowledged, especially in light of the week-old crisis in Ukraine. Following Christ over the next 40 days of Lent is a great statement of freedom, he said, because it brings about a freedom from the power of death.

“There are voices who think of us as mere specks in an almost infinite cosmos, but we know better,” Archbishop Vigneron said in his homily. “We know each of us was made by God’s particular design to accomplish something great for Him. We are free to take this great capacity to take every day of our life, gather it together to make a decision and say, ‘This is me, this is who I am.’ I’m not the subject of other forces, as powerful as they may be.”

A guest choir from Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hamtramck sang during the Mass, including traditional Ukrainian hymns. The archbishop told the choir and congregation that the entire Archdiocese of Detroit is praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian-American community six days into the Russian invasion.

“Each of us has brought his or her deepest aspirations to put aside what is not Christ so we may grow closer to Christ these 40 days,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “I’m happy members of the Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church are here, because we know in the Eucharist of Christ, he brings us peace.”

The three traditional pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting and almsgiving — are emphasized on Ash Wednesday, when Catholics take part in the imposition of ashes, he said.

“As I impose ashes, it’s not a simple ritual gesture; it’s a profound ritual gesture on both of our parts,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “You are presenting yourself as sinner, and us as pastors, we’re accepting that self-presentation, promising you, through our prayer and through our gesture, that you have the Lord’s strength.”

The archbishop traced the history of Lent back to the early days of the Church, when catechumens — those preparing to receive the sacraments and enter into the Church — set aside a time for purification before entering the Christian community.

“Early on, it became the resolution of those who are already baptized to be on a spiritual pilgrimage with the catechumens, to walk along with those who are to be reborn in the baptismal font,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “This is what your resolution and my resolution to have a holy Lent is about.”

By coming to St. Aloysius and presenting themselves for ashes, acknowledging moments when they fell on their journey in following Christ, Archbishop Vigneron said congregants are pleasing God by continuing the journey once more, freely choosing to get up and follow Christ.

“What I view as so sacred in this moment is you’ve all come here to say you are called to live the life of Christ, and I treasure that,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “It’s the work of God’s spirit in you. No one can say these things, except by the power of Jesus, because these are the aspirations of the very heart of Jesus.

"This is the sole, animating principle, the life force of whatever resolution you have made or will make the rest of this day in having a good Lent," the archbishop continued. "Whatever you give up, whatever you promise to do, to serve, whatever form you’ll take up, this is the great gift you freely accept here today.”

Following Mass, Archbishop Vigneron thanked the Ukrainian choir members for their witness at St. Aloysius, assuring the community of the Archdiocese of Detroit's solidarity and prayers. The archbishop then led the congregation in a Hail Mary, entrusting the protection of Ukraine to Our Lady of Peace.

Throughout the Mass, the Immaculate Conception choir sang Ukrainian spiritual hymns, including “God, the Great One!,” the national spiritual anthem of Ukraine — akin to “God Bless America” in the United States ─ "How Glorious You Are" and "I Believe Lord, I Confess."

“It means a lot to the Ukrainian Catholic community to be here at Mass with the archbishop,” Vasyl Perets, choir director at Immaculate Conception, told Detroit Catholic. “We prayed for God to save Ukraine. The pope has asked us to pray for Ukraine, and now the whole world is praying for Ukraine. All Catholic churches are praying for Ukraine. ... Catholics and Orthodox are all standing together. So please, continue to pray.”

'How Glorious You Are'

The Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic choir sings "How Glorious You Are," a traditional Ukrainian hymn during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Aloysius Parish on March 2.