where can i get ashes on ash wednesday
You can usually get ashes on Ash Wednesday at any local Catholic or many mainline Protestant churches, and often in a few “on‑the‑go” spots like transit hubs or even drive‑through church lines.
Main places to get ashes
- Your local parish church
- Catholic parishes almost always offer multiple Ash Wednesday services (Mass or simple liturgies with distribution of ashes) morning, midday, and evening.
* Many Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches also offer ashes, sometimes without a full service.
- “Ashes to go” in public places
- Some cities have clergy standing in train stations, on busy street corners, or in plazas giving quick prayers and ashes for commuters.
* Examples from recent years include Union Station and CTA stops in Chicago and public squares like Boston Common.
- Drive‑through or curbside ashes
- Certain churches set up a drive‑through line where you stay in your car while a minister gives a brief blessing and places ashes on your forehead.
* These are often advertised as “Ashes to Go” or “Drive‑thru Ashes” on church websites or local news.
- Airports and chapels
- Larger airports sometimes host Ash Wednesday services or walk‑up ashes in their interfaith chapels or main terminals (for example, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas–Fort Worth, Denver, and others in recent years).
How to find a specific spot near you
Since I can’t see your exact location, here’s a quick way to find somewhere close by:
- Search “[your city] Ash Wednesday ashes” or “[your city] Ash Wednesday services” in your maps app or browser to see nearby parishes and times.
- Check the website or social media of the nearest Catholic or Episcopal church; they almost always post Ash Wednesday schedules.
- Look at your diocesan website (Catholic or Episcopal) for a parish finder or “Ashes to Go” listing, which some dioceses and churches maintain.
- If you commute by train or through a major hub (station, plaza, airport), search “Ashes to Go [your city]” to see if clergy will be stationed there this year.
Quick example
If you lived in a big metro area, you might have the option of:
- Morning Mass with ashes at your neighborhood parish.
- A quick “ashes on the go” stop at a downtown station on your way to work.
- An evening service at another church if your schedule is packed.
TL;DR: Check nearby Catholic or mainline Protestant churches, look up “Ashes to Go” or drive‑through offerings in your city, and don’t forget major transit hubs or airport chapels, which often host Ash Wednesday ashes for people on the move.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
