Wednesday, February 18^th, 2026

Ash Wednesday (Violet)
Day of discipline and self-denial

Lent

Paschal Candle: The paschal candle is removed from the church today, before the first liturgy of Ash Wednesday. During Lent the candle is returned and lit only for funerals and (if they take place in Lent for some reason) baptisms. A new candle should be prepared for the Great Vigil of Easter.

Lenten Tract: It is customary to suppress the use of “Alleluia” in liturgies during Lent, even on Feast Days and at funerals. This practice can help communities enter more deeply into the spirit of the season, but it requires some vigilance. The Gospel Alleluias may be replaced by the Tract “Praise to you, O Lord, King of eternal glory”. Music for this is provided in Common Praise (1998), p. 717. At funerals the Kontakion recommended by the BAS for the Commendation may be replaced by In Paradisum or some other suitable hymn or canticle that does not employ the “alleluia”. “Praise the Lord” or some version of that phrase is a good substitute when an alleluia occurs elsewhere.

Days of Special Devotion: The BAS appoints Ash Wednesday and the other weekdays of Lent and Holy Week, except the Feast of the Annunciation, as Days of Special Devotion to be observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial.

Gloria during Lent: It is customary to omit the Gloria during the season of Lent.

Flowers during Lent: It is customary not to have flowers in the church during the season of Lent.

Stations of the Cross during Lent: Many parishes use the devotional service of the Stations of the Cross during Lent, especially on Lenten Fridays. The Church of England’s Common Worship: Times and Seasons provides an excellent modern version on p. 236 (available online). The Episcopal Church also provides the Stations of the Cross in The Book of Occasional Services, which may be found on p. 47 (available online).

Office: Where Ps 95 appears as a morning psalm during Lent, the lectionary directs that this replace the shorter version on p. 49 as the Invitatory.

Imposition of Ashes: The imposition of ashes is an ancient way to begin the season of Lent. These are made from branches of palms from the previous year’s Liturgy of the Palms that have been collected and burned, and the residue sifted and cooled, well in advance of Ash Wednesday services. These may be imposed by making a sign of the cross on the forehead, or just a smudge.

Making Ashes: In an outdoor brazier, burn the remaining palms from last year’s Palm Sunday service and the palms parishioners returned the previous Sunday. Some add an accelerant if the palms do not easily burn. Let them smoulder until cool. Using a spoon sift the ashes through a fine strainer. Dispose of the larger bits in the churchyard. Many add a few drops of chrism so that the ashes do not flake off into the faces of those imposed. Only a few drops are needed and these may be worked into the ashes with a fork. You will know when you have added enough oil by this test: rub your thumb into the mixture and see if you can make a dark smudge mark on the back of your hand without leaving ash particles. It is not recommended to use holy water as ashes and water can make the mixture acidic which can lead to skin irritation.

Morning Prayer: Ps 95 (Invitatory), 32, 143; Am 5:6-15; Heb 12:1-14; Coll 281

Holy Eucharist: Propers 281; Jl 2:1-2, 12-17 or Is 58:1-12; Ps 103:8-18; 2 Cor 5:20b—6:10; Mt 6:1-6, 16-21; Preface of Lent

Evening Prayer: Ps 102, 130; (Jon 3:1—4:11); Lk 18:9-14; Coll 281

Link to full text for this day.