Ash Wednesday
February 14th, 2024
As we enter Lent, let us join together in prayer, Wednesday, February 14th. Ashes will be distributed at all liturgies.
Morning Prayer | 9:30 AM
Mass | 12 PM
Evening Prayer | 7 PM
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. The guidelines for fasting and abstinence from meat are as follows:
Fasting is observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by Catholics eighteen years of age until one has reached their fifty-ninth birthday. On these days only one full meal is allowed. Two small meals may be taken but together they should not equal one full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted but consuming water, fruit juice and other liquids is allowed. Abstinence from meat is binding on all Catholics fourteen years of age and older.
Due to various medical conditions or illness some are not able to observe these guidelines. Those that are excused from fast and abstinence from meat outside the age limits include the physically or mentally ill including individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Also excluded are pregnant or nursing women and caregivers. For example, fasting for a person with diabetes is not a good idea. People in such situations are to choose some other suitable form of self-denial.