Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

We will celebrate two liturgies:

8:00 a.m. Mass
with the distribution of ashes

7:00 p.m. Liturgy
with the distribution of ashes

online streaming begins at 7pm

and later available on-demand

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This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday and begin our observance of Lent – our forty days of preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s Paschal Mystery. We are encouraged to engage in the penitential disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and return to the Lord.

​Again this year, we will distribute ashes in a way that does not require the minister to touch the person receiving them: we will sprinkle ashes on the crown of the head rather than smudging them on the penitent’s forehead. This is the normal practice of Catholics throughout much of the world, including Rome. Our desire to avoid the possible transmission of COVID has made it prudent for us to continue the practice again this year at Saint Thomas.

​In addition, as we begin our observance of Lent, please remember the church’s discipline regarding fasting and abstinence during this season:

Abstinence

Catholics who have reached their 14th birthday are to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.

Fasting

Catholics who are 18 or older, until their 59th birthday, are to fast on Ash Wednesday & Good Friday. Only one full meal is allowed and two smaller meals may be taken according to one’s needs to maintain strength.