Distribution of Ashes

Wednesday, February 17 is Ash Wednesday and is the first day of Lent.  This season of penance and reconciliation leads to the triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the celebration of Easter.

On Ash Wednesday, it is customary to attend a service and have a cross of ashes traced on the forehead.  The ashes are the burned remains of the palms blessed on Passion Sunday last year. While the cross is traced on the forehead, the formula, “Remember you are dust and will return to dust” is recited. An alternate formula is “Turn from sin and live the gospel.”

Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence.

Ashes, a traditional symbol of penance, will be distributed at St. Maurice on Wednesday at regular Masses. The Masses on Wednesday will be at  7:00 AM,  8:30AM, and at 7:PM.