Ash Wednesday

The Latest

Archbishop Leo Cushley distributes ashes during an Ash Wednesday service in a Scottish Parliament building.

First Ash Wednesday service held in Scottish Parliament

Mar 6, 2019

The Scottish Parliament hosted a Blessing and Distribution of Ashes for the first time this year, with Archbishop Leo Cushley... Read more

Ashes.

Science – not sabotage – behind Filipino 'Rash Wednesday' mystery

Feb 16, 2018

By Perry West

After some Filipino Catholics developed mysterious rashes on Ash Wednesday, the Diocese of Caloocan investigated to determine the cause of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday at the Church of Sant'Anselmo all'Aventino on February 14, 2018.

Pope on Ash Wednesday: Lent is the perfect time to 'come home'

Feb 14, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

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

Jan 29, 2018

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 Francis celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass at Basilica Santa Sabina, March 1, 2017.

Pope on Ash Wednesday: Feeling suffocated by sin? Let God save you

Mar 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Ash Wednesday Mass, Pope Francis spoke about the bad habits, negativity, and sin present in our lives which cause... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for a Jubilee of Mercy audience June 18, 2016.

Lent isn’t just about penance – it’s also a time of hope, Pope Francis says

Mar 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis said that while Lent is certainly a time of mortification, it’s also a journey of... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on Ash Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 10, 2016.

Lent is a time of pruning and reconciliation, Pope Francis says

Feb 10, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his Ash Wednesday homily, Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to let go of selfish and... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Feb. 10, 2016.

If mercy doesn’t reach your pockets, it’s not real, Pope says

Feb 10, 2016

By Elise Harris

For Pope Francis, mercy isn’t just spiritual, but is something that ought to be expressed in concrete acts of service... Read more

Ash Wednesday.

Would you die for your ashes? Cardinal reflects on modern Christian martyrs

Feb 18, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Catholics owe solidarity, prayer and a voice against injustice to their fellow Christians being martyred and persecuted around the world,... Read more