Ash Wednesday Services In Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore: 2025

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula and Murrieta churches are hosting Ash Wednesday services, 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 for ashes pressed to their foreheads. The ashes are typically from Palm Sunday palm fronds.

Not only do Catholic churches celebrate Ash Wednesday.

In Temecula Valley, 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.

Hope Lutheran Church

• Location: 29043 Vallejo Avenue, Temecula, CA
• Event: Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church

• Location: Temecula, CA
• Services: Ash Wednesday English Masses at 7:30 a.m., 5 p.m.; English Services at 11 a.m.; Bilingual Services at 1 p.m., 3:00 pm Bilingual. Ashes will be distributed at all scheduled masses and services.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church

• Location: 44651 Avenida De Missiones, Temecula, CA
• Services: In-person Ash Wednesday services held at 12 p.m.; in-person and Zoom services held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5

Temecula United Methodist Church

• Location: 42690 Margarita Road,Temecula, CA
• Services: Ash Wednesday Worship services at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
  We will meet in the worship center at TUMC, Invite your family, friends and neighbors Come and worship with us during the Holy Season.

St. Martha Catholic Church

• Location: 37200 Whitewood Road, Murrieta, CA
• Services: Ash Wednesday services include masses and liturgies where ashes are distributed: 7:30 a.m. Mass with Ash Distribution, 10 a.m. Liturgy of the Word with Ash Distribution, 12 p.m. Mass with Ash Distribution, 3 p.m., Liturgy of the Word with Ash Distribution5 p.m.; Liturgy of the Word with Ash Distribution, 7 p.m., Bilingual Mass with Ash Distribution

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."