In a rush to start Lent? Consider Ashes to Go

It’s Ash Wednesday, which means back-to-work time. And the folks at Christ Church Cathedral know that the end of revelry and return to normalcy cause hectic schedules. So … they are offering Ashes to Go.

Christ Church Cathedral is offering Ashes to Go as an Ash Wednesday outreach today.

Yes, officiants from the Episcopal church will be at three locations around town to offer ashes to people who can’t make it to a service:

The Cathedral Porch, 2919 St. Charles Ave., from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.
Audubon Park, St. Charles entrance, 7 to 9 a.m.
Lafayette Square, across from Gallier Hall, 7 to 9 a.m.

For those who need reminding, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, a time for repentance on the Christian calendar. The name derives from the practice of placing ashes on the forehead as both a celebration and a reminder of human frailty.

Ashes to Go is a fairly new trend, with congregations, ecumenical groups and other Christian organizations across the United States taking to street corners, transit stops, shopping centers and campuses to offer ashes and prayer to people where they live and work.

The on-the-go ashes practice first started about six years ago in St. Louis, according to ashestogo.org. Now congregations, ecumenical groups, and Christian organizations across the United States and beyond take to street corners, transit stops, shopping centers and campuses to offer ashes and prayer to God’s people where they live and work.

In addition to the take-out service, Christ Church will offer Ash Wednesday liturgies at 7:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.