Bishop Tobin administers Ash Wednesday mass in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — To mark the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday, Bishop Thomas Tobin celebrated Holy Mass in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence.

Bishop Tobin blessed and imposed ashes on the foreheads of many Catholics in Providence Wednesday in his last Ash Wednesday Holy Mass as bishop.

Last year, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Richard Henning to lead the Diocese of Providence.

Large crowds were in attendance Wednesday afternoon, to mark the beginning of the 40-day season of Lent which Catholics observe through fasting, abstinence from meat, and penance.