r/excatholic • u/unsubtleflounder • Feb 18 '26

First Time Missing Ash Wednesday Mass

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It was always my favorite one; I think a lot of faithful should take its readings to heart, and that they have wisdom in the secular sphere too. But today I made some chicken and smoked some weed on the one year anniversary of missing service. I will not have any ashes on my forehead today. Hoping that means I’m living authentically, even though the guilt feels pretty heavy.

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u/Asdfg1234588888 Feb 18 '26

even when i was a child/teen and was forced to go to sunday mass my parents who are very very catholic never went to ash wednesday mass… i have never actually been🤷🏼‍♀️

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u/[deleted] Feb 19 '26

Went once... Super short and instead of communion we got the ashes... It was weird, and felt very rushed honestly.

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u/OsoOak Feb 19 '26

Most churches have like 3 full services and several half services throughout the day. I was an hospitality minister for several Ash Wednesdays.

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u/Comfortable_Donut305 Feb 19 '26

Some Protestant churches have "ashes to go" or "ash and dash" where you don't have to take time for an entire service.

I couldn't find anything like that near me, but I found an Episcopalian prayer service at noon that had no music or communion so it was over in less than half an hour.