Ash Wednesday 2023

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season and traditionally in the Catholic faith in Ireland this is observed by receiving ashes – from the Palm ...

STEELSTOWN: Mass times on Ash Wednesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Steelstown will be at 7.45am, 10am and 7pm. ST MARY’S CREGGAN: Mass times at St Mary’s Church in Creggan will be at 7am, 10am and 7.30pm. ST COLUMBA’S LONG TOWER: At St Columba’s Long Tower Church, ashes will be blessed at the 7.00am Mass and distributed at the 7.00am, 10.00am and 7.30pm Masses. This is accompanied by the words 'Dust you are and to dust you shall return’, a quite from the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament. HOLY FAMILY: At Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty ashes will be distributed at 10am and 7.15pm Masses. St EUGENE’S CATHEDRAL: Mass times for Ash Wednesday at St Eugene’s Cathedral are 8.00am; 10.00am; 1.00pm and 7.30pm.

What is Lent? Lent represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized. It is a period of reflection, prayer and penance.

Meat isn't the only thing you can give up for Lent. Lent ends on Holy Thursday, which is April 6, when there is a Mass to represent Jesus' last supper. Sundays during Lent are not "prescribed days" of fasting and abstinence, so those don't count. The ashes also represent penance – sackcloth and ashes. The ashes represent two Biblical themes. [Ash Wednesday](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/02/06/when-is-ash-wednesday-lent-easter-sunday-2023-dates-to-know/69877207007/), the [day after Mardi Gras](https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/02/06/when-is-fat-tuesday-mardi-gras-2023/69866182007/) and the start of the Christian Lenten season that leads up to Easter.

Ashes for Ash Wednesday will be available at several locations across the Chicago area, including Union Station, O'Hare airport and Midway airport.

and 4 p.m. Ashes will only be distributed during Masses or liturgical services. and 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Liturgical services schedule: 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Holy Communion will only be given at Mass. 7:30 a.m. Mass schedule: 10 a.m., 12 p.m. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. - 1 p.m. Mass schedule: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, an important time for Catholics and Christians leading up to Easter.

"Say yes to other things that are that are important, whether it's serving others, engaging in prayer or what have you." Johnston calls Lent a "period of purification and enlightenment." On Ash Wednesday, worshipers are also supposed to fast, allowing themselves to have one meal during the day. It may appear odd, but it is a mark people that practice Catholicism, as well as Christianity, receive at mass on Ash Wednesday, one of the "most popular and important holy days" in the religion. Ash Wednesday is always six and a half weeks before Easter. After a person receives their ashes, they aren't required to leave it on or take it off following Mass, but people typically leave them on for the rest of the day.

Watch the Ash Wednesday Mass at the Manila Cathedral led by Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula.

Ash Wednesday is a significant day on the Christian calendar, denoting the beginning of the repentant period of Lent which precedes Easter.

Ash Wednesday occurs exactly 46 days before Easter Sunday, which is a moveable feast. Palm Sunday occurs on the Sunday before Easter Sunday, and commemorates Christ's entry into Jerusalem days before the Last Supper. Easter Sunday is always held on the first Sunday after a full moon following the Spring Equinox.

Ash Wednesday in the Christian church is the beginning of the Lenten season and is observed with a service where the faithful are marked with ashes.

Tell us at [nj.com/tips](http://nj.com/tips). [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Catholics are not allowed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday. Most adults are expected to fast and eat only one full meal per day. [Can Catholics eat meat or eggs on Ash Wednesday?](https://go.skimresources.com/?id=126006X1587338&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fnation%2F2022%2F03%2F02%2Fash-wednesday-why-christians-wear-ashes%2F9339771002%2F) [What is Ash Wednesday?](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ash-Wednesday-Christian-holy-day)