Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter.

While Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation, all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstinence.

In 2016, Ash Wednesday is on February 10.
7:00 am Mass Our Lady of the Angels, South Berwick
8:00 am Mass St. Christopher, York
9:00 am Mass St. Raphael Church (not the Chapel), Kittery
7:00 pm Communion Service Our Lady of the Angels, South Berwick—Distribution of Ashes
7:00 pm Mass St. Christopher, York
7:00 pm Mass St. Raphael Church (not the Chapel), Kittery


Distribution of Ashes
During Mass, the ashes which give Ash Wednesday its name are distributed. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday.

After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them.

The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance.