Ash Wednesday
The Latest
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
If mercy doesn’t reach your pockets, it’s not real, Pope says
For Pope Francis, mercy isn’t just spiritual, but is something that ought to be expressed in concrete acts of service... Read more
Would you die for your ashes? Cardinal reflects on modern Christian martyrs
Catholics owe solidarity, prayer and a voice against injustice to their fellow Christians being martyred and persecuted around the world,... Read more
