Ash Wednesday
Join us on Ash Wednesday at any of our services throughout the day as we begin our journey together through the season of Lent.
Ash Wednesday takes its name from the sign of ashes, when a cross is 'imposed' (drawn) on our foreheads in a special ash made by burning palm crosses blessed on the previous Palm Sunday. This symbol reminds us both of our mortality and need to turn from sin - but also of God's abiding love and mercy for us, and His invitation to enter with Him into newness of life.
Cathedral worship takes a special form on Ash Wednesday. The Imposition of Ashes will be offered at our 7.35 am and 1.05 pm said Eucharists and the 6.05 pm reflective Choral Eucharist for Ash Wednesday. There will be additional short services of ashing every hour on the hour from 10 am - 4 pm, lasting up to ten minutes. All visitors, whether baptised or not, are welcome to take part in a service and receive the sign of ashes at any of the opportunities throughout the day.
As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday is a day when Christians are particularly called to reflection and penitence. A member of the Cathedral clergy team will be available during our opening hours for pastoral conversations or liturgical confession.
Ash Wednesday Services
7.15 am - 7.35 am: Said Morning Prayer
7.35 am - 8.00 am: Said Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
10.00 am - 10.10 am: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
11.00 am - 11.10 am: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
12.00 pm - 12.10 pm: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
1.05 pm - 1.35 pm: Said Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) with Imposition of Ashes
2.00 pm - 2.10 pm: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
3.00 pm - 3.10 pm: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
4.00 pm - 4.10 pm: Prayers and Imposition of Ashes
6.05 pm - 7.15 pm: Reflective Choral Eucharist for Ash Wednesday with Imposition of Ashes.
Sermon preached by The Venerable Jonathan Chaffey, Archdeacon of Oxford.
William Byrd's Mass for four voices will be sung by the Cathedral Singers.
8.35 pm - 9.00 pm: Sung Compline.
Ashes can be imposed by request during this service - please speak to The Revd Dr Kirsty Borthwick before the beginning of our worship.
What is Lent?
Lent is the name given to the sombre liturgical season of preparation for our observance of Jesus' death on the cross, ending our celebrations of his resurrection at Easter. It lasts for 40 days, mirroring the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness according to the bible. During this time, Christians turn to practices such as self-examination, penitence, self-denial or fasting, study, and the giving of alms as we seek to reflect and strengthen our communion with each other and with God.
You will notice during this period that the colour purple is worn during services by our clergy, and that unbleached linen is used for the arrays on the altar, both ways to remind us of the Lenten season. There are other changes too; the choir will no longer sing the Gloria in Excelsis at Choral Eucharists, replaced instead with the Kyrie Eleison ('Lord have mercy on us'). The time of Lent culminates in Holy Week, when we remember the final week of Jesus' life together over 8 days through a special cycle of services reflecting centuries of Christian tradition, ending in the great joy of Easter.
The name of Lent in English likely comes from an Old English word meaning 'lengthening'. This reminds of the deeper meaning of the season: Lent is just as much a time of healing and gathering light as Spring draws near as it is one of penitence. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
