Begin Lent at the Cathedral

Ash Wednesday Holy Eucharist Services Wednesday, March 5 at 12 pm & 7 pm Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent: a time of fasting, prayer, self-examination and preparation for the Easter Feast. Join us for a service of Holy Eucharist that includes the imposition of ashes, an ancient sign of repentance that serves as a reminder of our mortality. The 12 pm service features contemporary music and the 7 pm service features traditional music. Incense is used at both services. Passes are not required. LEARN MORE Ash Wednesday: Rite of Reconciliation Wednesday, March 5, Starting at 10 am On Ash Wednesday, individuals may speak confidentially with a member of the clergy, confess their sins and receive absolution in-person at the Cathedral (between 10–11:30 am and 2–6:30 pm) or via private online Zoom chapel (between 10–11:30 am and 4–5:30 pm). Learn more→ Retreat: Ash Wednesday Quiet Day Wednesday, March 5, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Begin this Lent with a day-long retreat at the Virginia Mae Center on the Cathedral grounds. Throughout the day enjoy opportunities for communal prayer and meditation guided by seasonal art, scripture, and poetry. Participants will attend the noon Ash Wednesday Service of Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes in the Cathedral. Learn more and register→ Available March 5: Easter Sunday Passes You’re invited to join the Cathedral as we make our way from Ash Wednesday through Holy Week to the celebration of Christ’s glorious Resurrection on Easter Due to capacity limits, reserved passes are required for the Easter Sunday Festival Holy Eucharist services at 8 am and 11:15 am. Passes will be available for reservation starting on March 5. All other worship services during Lent and Holy Week do not require reserved passes. Learn more→ Take on Lent March 11 - April 18 Take On Lent features five weeks of Tuesday night dinners and classes from March 11–April 8. Begin each Tuesday with Evensong, followed by libations and dinner in Bethlehem Chapel, and finished with your choice of in-person classes. An online-only class and a hybrid class are available for those who want to participate virtually. Learn more→ Lenten Meditations Washington National Cathedral clergy offer a written meditation each day in Lent. The path from ashes to Alleluia is one that we walk together, in community. Want daily meditations sent directly to your inbox? Click the button below and then tick the box for “Lenten Meditations” on our subscription page. Subscribe now→ Copyright © 2025 Washington National Cathedral, All rights reserved.   Washington National Cathedral 3101 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington, DC 20016 United States  Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe  from this list.