Photos: Ash Wednesday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church

Faithful gather to mark the start of Lenten season in Cedar Rapids

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Parishioners at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa participated in Ash Wednesday services on February 18, 2026, marking the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday. The ashes placed on worshippers' foreheads are a traditional symbol of repentance and mourning.

Why it matters

Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season are important observances in the Catholic Church, with millions of adherents worldwide participating in fasting, prayer, and other spiritual practices during this period of reflection and preparation for Easter.

The details

The Ash Wednesday service at St. Wenceslaus featured the distribution of ashes, which are made by burning the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. The ashes are applied to the forehead in the sign of the cross as a reminder of human mortality and the need for repentance.

  • The Ash Wednesday service took place on February 18, 2026.

The players

Jane Constant

A parishioner at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church who received ashes on her forehead during the Ash Wednesday service.

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The takeaway

The Ash Wednesday service at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids was a solemn and meaningful observance of the start of the Lenten season, with parishioners coming together to reflect on their faith and prepare for the upcoming Easter celebration.