Ash Wednesday Services In Palm Desert: 2025

PALM DESERT, CA — Many of Palm Desert's churches are hosting Ash Wednesday services on March 5, marking day one of Lent and 40 days until Easter Sunday in 2025.

"In 2025, like in every year, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, falling six and a half weeks before Easter," according to Hallow.com. While not considered a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic or other churches, it is regarded as a day of reflection and repentance for Christians. During Ash Wednesday services, anyone can approach the altar to get ashes pressed to their foreheads. The ashes are typically from Palm Sunday palm fronds.

Not only do Catholic churches celebrate Ash Wednesday.

In the Palm Desert, services also occur at Lutheran, Methodist, and Episcopal churches. Also, note that non-Catholics can appear at a Catholic church to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Sacred Heart Church

• Location: 43775 Deep Canyon Road, Palm Desert
• Event: English Mass and distribution of ashes: 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m., 12:10 a.m., 5:30 p.m.; Spanish Mass and distribution of ashes: 7 p.m., March 5.

St. Margaret's Episcopal Church:

• Location: 47535 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA
• Event: Services and distribution of ashes: 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., March 5.

United Methodist Church of Palm Springs:

• Location: 1555 E. Alejo, Palm Springs, CA
• Event: Services and distribution of ashes: 6:30 p.m., March 5.

During Lent, many give up a favorite food or activity as a symbolic fasting gesture.

Several churches mentioned above offer Friday Fish Frys or soup dinners during the Lent season.

Catholics may find the day more somber this year due to the Pope's failing health, according to Hallow.com. "Christians around the world continue to pray for him as he battles serious health issues that have kept him in critical condition. The pope was not expected to give Ash Wednesday services in 2025.