Wednesday, February 18 is Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.
Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.
Here is our schedule for Ash Wednesdays. Liturgies of the Word are just the first part of Mass followed by the distribution of Ashes. In Masses, you will experience the full celebration of Mass, along with the Eucharist. Distribution of Ashes will occur with the Mass.
6:45AM Liturgy of the Word
8:00AM Mass
12NOON Mass
12NOON Liturgia de la Palabra
5:30PM Liturgy of the Word
7:00PM La Misa
7:00PM Mass