What is ash wednesday

Ash Wednesday service at 6 p. Please RSVP, so the church can ensure safe numbers during the services. Masses at a. Crittenden Ave. A mass and distribution of ashes will be held at a. Matthew Catholic Church , E. Two masses will be held at 8 a. However, attendance is by reservation only to ensure safety and reservations close at noon on Feb.

People also can receive the imposition of ashes from the comfort of a car, when Ashes-to-Go is held from 4 to 6 p. Ash Wednesday A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 7 a. A distribution of ashes will be held throughout the day from 7 a. Services at a. Mass at 8 a. English and 7 p. A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 12 noon, p. A distribution of ashes will be available at all of the above times. An in-person worship service will be held at 12 noon. It will be livestreamed on Facebook, and a recording will be available later in the day on the website.

A children's in-person service will be at 6 p. Main St. Worship services will be held at 12 noon and 7 p. Carmel Sanctuary ; p. Carmel Worship Center ; 7 p. Fishers and Indianapolis. Ash Wednesday services will be held at a. Worship services on Ash Wednesday will be held at a. Liturgy of the Word , a. Mass , p. Liturgy of the Word , 6 p. Mass and p. Mass in Spanish. All Ash Wednesday Masses will be live-streamed at ologn. The Lenten period is one of reflection and repentance of sin, with those who observe it expected to seek reconciliation with God.

Many choose to give up an indulgence, or fast, during Lent as a representation of the Temptation of Christ as he fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judaean Desert. Ash Wednesday gets its name from early traditions in the Christian Church in Rome, when penitents and sinners would partake in a period of public penance. During this, they were sprinkled with ashes and dressed in a sackcloth until they were reconciled with church-goers on Maundy Thursday. Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.

Poppy Logo. FB house promo. Ash Wednesday is a significant day in the Christian calendar denoting the beginning of the repentant period of Lent which precedes Easter. It's observed by individuals from various sectors of Christianity, including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and Methodists.

The practices of Ash Wednesday, such as the placing of ashes on the foreheads of participants, go back centuries. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a six-week period during which Christians often abstain from rich foods such as meat and dairy. Some who take part also abstain from everyday habits such as watching excessive amounts of television.

Christians take part in the annual abstinent period of Lent in order to commemorate Jesus Christ, who, according to a biblical narrative, once spent 40 days and nights fasting in the Judaean Desert while being tempted by Satan.

This year, Ash Wednesday takes place on Wednesday 17 February.