Cardinal McElroy and Cardinal Gregory to concelebrate March 5 Ash Wednesday Mass

Cardinal Robert McElroy will be the principal celebrant and homilist for Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:10 p.m. on March 5, at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. Cardinal Wilton Gregory will concelebrate the liturgy that marks the start of Lent.

Ash Wednesday begins the 40-day penitential period of Lent. Catholics around the world will fast and receive ashes as a symbol of mourning and conversion. Lent continues until the Friday of the Passion of the Lord (Good Friday), April 18. Easter this year will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20.

People of all faiths are invited but not obliged to receive ashes, made from the palm branches from last year’s Palm Sunday Mass, as a reminder of our need for mercy and forgiveness.

Cardinal McElroy, bishop of San Diego since 2015, will be installed as Archbishop of Washington the following week, on March 11 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, as Cardinal Gregory retires and becomes Archbishop Emeritus.

The Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle is located at 1725 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.

The Mass will be livestreamed here.