Clergy members give ashes to go

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - For the second year in a row, more than a dozen clergy are bringing ashes to the masses by giving them outside of the church.

The idea is to bring the traditional observance of Ash Wednesday to the streets and neighborhoods.

Reverend Edmund Harris, the organizer of 'Ashes to Go' in Rhode Island took to the streets today in Providence and other parts of the state to offer prayers and ash blessings.

"It's just been an opportunity to catch people off guard with God's love and mercy and passion and forgiveness and to see their faces light up," said Reverend Harris.

Harris says it is becoming a new tradition, to take church outside the walls.

"I haven't seen this before, and it's good for people that can not come out," said resident Ivanya Lebron.

"It's kind of convenient that I can be waiting for the bus and get my ashes for Ash Wednesday." said resident Devin Guirales.

They'll be giving ashes at the following locations:

• Commuter rail station, South Kingstown
• Seven Stars bakery, Providence
• Burnside Park, Providence
• Kennedy Plaza, Providence
• Amtrak train station, Providence
• Roosevelt Avenue bus stop next to Slater Mill, Pawtucket
• Holy Trinity Church, Tiverton
• Harrington House homeless shelter, Cranston
• T.F. Green Airport
• Seamans Institute, Newport
• University of Rhode Island's Memorial Union Building and the Emporium
• Washington Park, Providence
• Whole Foods, Cranston

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a forty-day period that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It ends on Easter Sunday.