Vice President J.D. Vance participated within the rituals of Ash Wednesday as he and different members of the Trump administration noticed the event that kicks off the season of prayer and fasting main as much as the key Christian vacation of Easter.
Video footage revealed by C-SPAN Wednesday exhibits Vance, a training Catholic, receiving ashes on his brow from a Catholic priest earlier than departing Texas Wednesday. Vance had visited the border city of Eagle Go alongside Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth and Director of Nationwide Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to look at the results of the Trump administration’s insurance policies to curb unlawful immigration into the US from its southern border with Mexico.
Vance wasn’t the one member of the Trump administration to look at Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of the Christian season of Lent. President Donald Trump and First Woman Melania Trump revealed a joint message to mark the event.
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“This Ash Wednesday, we take part prayer with the tens of thousands and thousands of American Catholics and different Christians starting the holy season of Lent — a time of religious anticipation of the eagerness, demise, and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” they acknowledged. “In the course of the Lenten season, Christians spend 40 days and 40 nights praying, fasting, and giving alms to deepen our religion and strengthen our perception within the Gospel.”
The president and first woman’s message additionally acknowledged how, on Ash Wednesday, “followers of Christ put on crosses of ash on their foreheads” as “a sacred reminder of our mortality.” In addition they issued a name to motion for Christians: “As we solemnly ponder Jesus Christ’s struggling and demise on the cross this Lent, allow us to put together our souls for the approaching glory of the Easter miracle.”
“We give you our greatest needs for a prayerful and enriching Lenten season,” the message concluded. “Might almighty God bless you, and should He proceed to bless the US of America.”
Whereas Vance and the Trumps have absolutely embraced Lent, a not too long ago launched ballot from Lifeway Analysis discovered that 74% of the 1,200 Individuals surveyed from Aug. 14-30 didn’t plan on observing the season. Subgroups with the best share of respondents meaning to take part had been Catholics (58%) and Hispanics (36%).
The survey additionally discovered that amongst those that do observe Lent, 50% “quick from a favourite meals or beverage” as their Lenten sacrifice, whereas 37% search to “quick from a nasty behavior” and 25% work to “quick from a favourite exercise.” In an effort to develop stronger in religion, 34% of respondents who observe Lent interact in extra prayer, whereas 22% “learn Lenten Bible verses or devotions.”
Lent will conclude on Easter Sunday, which is widely known on April 20 this 12 months. On Easter, Christians will rejoice Christ’s resurrection from the useless.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Publish. He could be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
