You can get ashes for Ash Wednesday in several ways, depending on whether you want them at a church, on the go, or even at home.

1. Local churches and parishes

The most common place is your nearest Catholic parish or other Christian churches that observe Ash Wednesday (many Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and some non‑denominational churches also offer ashes).

  • Check your diocese’s website or use the USCCB “Parish Finder” to locate a nearby church and its Ash Wednesday mass or service times.
  • Many churches also host special “Ashes to Go” stations outside their buildings or in parking lots so people can receive ashes without attending a full Mass.

2. “Ashes to Go” and drive‑thru stations

Some churches set up drive‑thru or sidewalk stations for commuters and busy people.

  • Examples include drive‑thru ashes at churches in New Jersey and similar setups in other states where clergy apply ashes in a cross on your forehead while you stay in your car.
  • In big cities, you may also find ashes offered at train stations, transit hubs, or downtown plazas (e.g., Union Station in Chicago, Boston Common, or various CTA and Metra stops).

3. Airports and transit hubs

Several major airports now offer ashes on Ash Wednesday, often in interfaith chapels or main terminals.

  • Places like Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Midway (MDW), Dallas‑Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Houston Bush (IAH), Minneapolis (MSP), Orlando (MCO), Pittsburgh (PIT), and others have chapels or stations where travelers can receive ashes.

4. Buying ashes for personal use

If you are organizing a service or want to mark yourself or family members, some church‑supply companies sell bags of palm‑leaf ashes specifically for Ash Wednesday.

  • These are typically pre‑blessed or intended to be blessed by a priest or minister before use.
  • Some parishes even buy their ashes online for distribution during Lenten services.

5. Quick reference table (common options)

Option type| Where to find it
---|---
Local church| Nearest Catholic or participating Christian parish; check parish website or diocese directory. 37
“Ashes to Go”| Sidewalk or drive‑thru stations at churches, train stations, or busy downtown spots. 135
Airports| Interfaith chapels or main terminals at major U.S. airports on Ash Wednesday. 3
Online ashes| Church‑supply sites selling bags of palm‑leaf ashes for Ash Wednesday. 10

If you tell me your city or state, a more tailored list of exact locations and times near you for Ash Wednesday 2026 can be outlined.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.