Ash Wednesday
Wednesday February 18, 2026
Mass Schedule
Cartier
St. Francis Xavier
9:00 AM
Levack
St. Bartholomew
4:00 PM
Dowling
St-Étienne-Martyr
10:00 AM
Join us as we begin our solemn journey toward the commemoration of the death (holy sacrifice of the cross) of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of fasting for Catholics, which marks the start of the Lenten Season – the seven weeks of prayer, fasting and almsgiving before the arrival of Easter.
During Ash Wednesday Mass, you are invited to receive ashes on your forehead (burnt palm branches, blessed the previous year) as the wearing of ashes has been a sign of repentance since biblical times. The imposition of ashes is typically done with the sign of the cross, signifying that the recipient is a follower of Jesus.
For Catholics – and many other Christian Churches, Lent is a 40-day, solemn Christian liturgical season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes before the evening mass of Holy Thursday. The 40 days of Lent help us prepare for Easter, reflecting on Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and his ultimate sacrifice.
What are the fasting rules for Ash Wednesday?
The Church requires all Catholics between the ages of 14 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday. As long as you are in good health, this means that you should only eat one full meal, plus two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal. Ash Wednesday is also a day when Catholics avoid eating meat.
There is great wisdom in the Christian practice of fasting—even though its benefits are largely forgotten! Fasting is a spiritual exercise, and as such is primarily an action of the inner life. Authentic fasting draws us nearer to God and opens our hearts to receive his many gifts.
Fasting is also a sharp reminder that there are more important things in life than food. Authentic Christian fasting helps to release us from our attachments to the things of this world. It is often these worldly attachments that prevent us from becoming the best version of ourselves. Fasting also serves as a reminder that everything in this world is passing and thus encourages us to consider life beyond death.
Go without food for several hours, and you quickly realize how truly weak, fragile, and dependent we are. This knowledge of self strips away arrogance and fosters a loving acknowledgment of our utter dependence on God. Ash Wednesday is a powerful day to rediscover the power of fasting in your life!
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Last Updated on: February 6, 2026
All images public domain from Unsplash, PikWizard
