Ash Wednesday Starts Lent 2021 In The Bethesda Area

BETHESDA, MD — Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent that's celebrated primarily in the Catholic faith, is on Feb. 17 in 2021. Churches in Bethesda have ash services scheduled for the day.

On Ash Wednesday, observers of the day will have ashes applied in the shape of a cross to their foreheads. In many cases, people will wear the crosses throughout the rest of the day to publicly express their faith.

The ashes symbolize penance, mourning, and mortality. Typically, the priest will apply the ashes while saying, "Remember you are dust, and unto dust you shall return."

The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration, which falls every year on the Sunday before Easter.

The administration of ashes this year will be different due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Vatican has said.

The priest will bless the ashes and sprinkle them with holy water in silence, according to the new guidance on the holiday. He will then address the crowd and reciting once the formula found in the Roman Missal: "Repent, and believe in the Gospel" or "Rememberer that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

The ashes will be sprinkled on each person's head without the priest saying anything, the Vatican's pandemic guidance states.

The pandemic may affect services planned at local churches in other ways, too. Be prepared to wear a face covering and practice social distancing if in-person services are taking place.

Here is a list of some Bethesda-area churches offering special services for Ash Wednesday:

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church — 7500 Pearl St., Bethesda

• Time 1: 7 a.m.
• Time 2: 12 p.m.
• Time 3: 7 p.m. (Spanish)

Church of the Little Flower — 5607 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda

• Time 1: 8:15 a.m.
• Time 2: 12 p.m.
• Time 3: 7 p.m.

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Parish — 9701 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda

• Time 1: 8:30 a.m.
• Time 2: 12 p.m.
• Time 3: 7:30 p.m. (live-streaming available)

St. Bartholomew Catholic Church — 6900 River Rd., Bethesda

• Time 1: 8 a.m.
• Time 2: 7:30 p.m.

All Saints Church — 3 Chevy Chase Circle, Chevy Chase

• Time 1: 12 p.m. (registration required)

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church — 9705 Summit Ave., Kensington

• Time 1: 6:45 a.m.
• Time 2: 9 a.m.
• Time 3: 7:30 p.m.

Lent is a religious period chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians also observe the 40-day span that serves as a time of reflection and restraint in the build-up to Easter.

Many people take part in fasting and/or giving up certain luxuries or pleasures during the period to commemorate the sacrifices made by Christ.

Lent this year will end on Saturday, April 3.