Many Christians in St. Maarten headed to their places of worship for Ash Wednesday and to mark the start of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer, fasting, and repentance. It derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants. The ashes may be prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebrations. The faithful assembled in St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street where Father Adam Oleszczuk (seen in photo administering ash) conducted noon Mass. Members of the St. Jude and St. Simon Anglican Church congregation who wanted to attend Ash Wednesday Mass had to head to the French side for their service. The Anglican Church at the corner of Zoutsteeg and Back Street is under repairs due to severe damage from Hurricane Irma. Photo courtesy Joan Berkel.
