ash wednesday ushers in Lent on Feb. 18, 2026 as churches widen touchless rites and calls for renewal

Churches and worship leaders around the world are preparing for Ash Wednesday observances on Feb. 18, 2026 (ET), the liturgical start of Lent. The day will feature traditional imposition of ashes, fasting guidance, and public appeals for prayer and compassionate action ahead of the Easter season.

Worship patterns and practical changes as congregations mark Lent

Parishes and congregations are lining up services, prayer times and outreach projects as communities shift from ordinary time into the penitential season. Many Roman Catholic, Anglican and some Protestant churches will offer multiple Masses or services to accommodate congregants who may be traveling or who work evening shifts.

Time-honored practices remain central: the distribution of ashes, the call to repentance, and reminders about fasting and abstinence. For Catholics, the standard guidelines remain in place: abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and fasting for those between the ages of 18 and 59 on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Spiritual leaders emphasize that Lenten observances are meant to be both penitential and transformative—encouraging prayer, fasting, and works of charity.

Public health lessons from recent years continue to shape worship logistics. Many churches will again offer liturgical options that reduce physical contact—ashes placed on the forehead with a disposable implement, ashes sprinkled on the top of the head, or brief "ashes-to-go" stations outside churches for commuters. Worship officials say these adjustments aim to respect both liturgical integrity and personal comfort following pandemic-era shifts in practice.

Leadership messages and outreach focus for the season

Religious leaders are using Ash Wednesday to underline themes beyond personal repentance. In homilies and statements ahead of the day, clergy are calling parishioners to expand Lenten disciplines into public-facing acts: increased volunteerism, attention to migrants and the poor, and advocacy for peaceful solutions in conflict zones.

The Vatican's main liturgy for the day will draw global attention as customary, with spiritual leaders framing the season as an occasion for collective renewal. Local pastors are echoing those themes, urging congregations to pair fasting with charitable giving and to use the season to address social isolation, mental health needs and economic hardship facing many communities.

Charitable organizations affiliated with congregations are ramping up food drives, warm-clothing collections and volunteer schedules that coincide with Ash Wednesday and the subsequent six weeks of Lent. Parish coordinators note that modest, sustained actions during Lent often translate into longer-term community support when programs are planned with concrete goals and follow-up.

What worshippers can expect and how to participate

For those planning to attend services on Feb. 18, churches recommend checking local service times in advance. Many parishes will schedule both morning and evening services to accommodate differing schedules; some will also provide livestreamed liturgies for the homebound or those who prefer to participate remotely.

Visitors should expect familiar liturgical elements: scripture readings emphasizing repentance, the imposition of ashes, and often a communal confession or penitential rite. For people new to Ash Wednesday services, ministers advise arriving a few minutes early to receive guidance on how ashes will be distributed and to observe any health-related protocols the congregation has adopted.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a season intended to prepare individuals and communities for Easter through prayer, sacrifice and acts of mercy. This year’s observances blend ancient ritual with practical adaptations, as faith communities aim to make the season meaningful, safe and outward-looking.