Ash Wednesday Starts Lent 2021 In Marlborough

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent that’s celebrated primarily in the Catholic faith, is on Feb. 17 in 2021. Churches in Marlborough 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 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 “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

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 “Remember 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 churches in Marlborough offering special services for Ash Wednesday and other events during the Lenten season:

St. Matthias Parish, 409 Hemenway St.

St. Matthias is not holding in-person mass until March 7 at the earliest. The church is directing worshipers to catholictv.org for services.

Immaculate Conception, 9 Washington Court

• 7:30 a.m. (English)*
• 12:10 p.m (English)
• 6 p.m. (English)*
• 7:30 p.m. (Portuguese)*
• 7:30 p.m. (Spanish, lower church)*

*Will be broadcast live on the Immaculate Conception site

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 472 Lincoln St.

• 11:30 a.m.

St. Anne Church, 20 Boston Road, Southborough

• 9 a.m.
• 7 p.m.

Both masses livestreamed on the St. Anne website

Ascension Parish, 160 Concord Road, Sudbury

• 9 a.m., Our Lady of Fatima
• Noon, Saint Bridget
• 7 p.m., Our Lady of Fatima

All masses livestreamed, drive-thru ashes available follow services

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 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.