Ash Wednesday
The Latest
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Free yourself ‘from the dictatorship of full schedules’
“This,” the pope said, “is the favorable time to be converted, to stop looking at ourselves and to start looking... Read more
Where do Ash Wednesday ashes come from?
“Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Read more
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Lent is about eternal rewards, not appearances
The pope’s homily was read by Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Read more
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Lent is a time for conversion and interior renewal
The pope was speaking at his Wednesday general audience. Read more
Pope Francis cancels Ash Wednesday Mass, trip to Florence due to knee pain
The Holy See press office said the pope was suffering from ‘acute gonalgia.’ Read more
Pope Francis’ Lenten message: Addiction to digital media can hurt human relationships
"May the corporal fasting to which Lent calls us fortify our spirit for the battle against sin,” Pope Francis said. Read more
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Lent is a journey from slavery to freedom
The 40 days of Lent are an opportunity to turn from the slavery of sin to the freedom found in... Read more
Ash Wednesday 2021: Vatican offers guidance on ash distribution amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Vatican gave guidance Tuesday about how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Wear black to protest anti-Christian violence, Nigerian Catholics told
The bishops of Nigeria told the nation’s Catholics to wear black on Ash Wednesday to protest the ongoing persecution of... Read more
Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday: Confession purifies hearts
Before going to confession, Pope Francis recommended, people should stand in front of the Crucifix and contemplate Christ on the... Read more
'Repent and accept the Gospel' Trumps say in Ash Wednesday statement
“This powerful and sacred tradition reminds us of our shared mortality, Christ’s saving love, and the need to repent and... Read more
Utah school apologizes after student forced to remove Lenten ashes
A school district in Utah has issued an apology after a fourth-grade student was told by a teacher that he... Read more
Ash Wednesday liturgies held on Capitol Hill
Catholic members of Congress participated in the tradition Lenten practice of receiving ashes at the Capitol Wednesday. During the liturgy,... Read more
First Ash Wednesday service held in Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament hosted a Blessing and Distribution of Ashes for the first time this year, with Archbishop Leo Cushley... Read more
Science – not sabotage – behind Filipino 'Rash Wednesday' mystery
After some Filipino Catholics developed mysterious rashes on Ash Wednesday, the Diocese of Caloocan investigated to determine the cause of... Read more
Pope on Ash Wednesday: Lent is the perfect time to 'come home'
At Mass for Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis invited everyone to live the 40 days of Lent as a time to... Read more
Ash Wednesday trumps Valentine's, Chicago archdiocese says
This year, Ash Wednesday—which begins the penitential season of Lent with a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer—falls on Feb. 14,... Read more
Pope on Ash Wednesday: Feeling suffocated by sin? Let God save you
At Ash Wednesday Mass, Pope Francis spoke about the bad habits, negativity, and sin present in our lives which cause... Read more
Lent isn’t just about penance – it’s also a time of hope, Pope Francis says
On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis said that while Lent is certainly a time of mortification, it’s also a journey of... Read more
Lent is a time of pruning and reconciliation, Pope Francis says
In his Ash Wednesday homily, Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to let go of selfish and... Read more
