No, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation. However, many people choose to begin their season of Lent by going to Mass that day and receiving ashes on their foreheads. The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday at St. Thomas More Church is 6:30 and 9:00 a.m. as well as 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Ashes are only given during the Masses.
Remember, Ash Wednesday is a Day of Fast & Abstinence. All Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence.
Fasting allows for only one full meal to be taken during the day. Two smaller meals are permitted, if necessary, to maintain strength according to one’s needs. Eating solid foods between meals is not permitted. Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Catholics who have celebrated their 18th birthday and who have not yet celebrated their 59th birthday.
Abstinence is the practice of refraining from meat and meat products. Abstinence is to be practiced by all who are 14 years of age and older.
