Ash Wednesday 2021 Will Look Different In Chelmsford This Lent

CHELMSFORD, MA — The first day of Lent that’s celebrated primarily in the Catholic faith, is on Feb. 17 in 2021. And two churches in town have Ash Wednesday services scheduled for the day.

On Ash Wednesday, those who participate, will often 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.”

This year, it will look a little different with the pandemic, according to a note from the Vatican detailing how Catholic priests are to distribute ashes.

After blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy water in silence, the priest will address those present, give the Lent blessing, then cleans his hands, put on a face mask, and distribute ashes to those who come to him by sprinkling the ashes on each person’s head "without saying anything."

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.

There are two churches in Chelmsford offering special services for Ash Wednesday, but you must register to attend online by 3 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 16.

St. Mary: 7 am, 4 pm, 7 pm
St. John: 9 am, 12 noon, 6 pm

To see a list of events during the Lenten season, check out the www.chelmsfordcatholic.org website. Be prepared to wear a face covering and practice social distancing if in-person services are taking place.

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

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

Lent this year will end on Saturday, April 3.