Archbishop Allen Vigneron to Celebrate Mass and Distribute Ashes

Wednesday, March 9, is Ash Wednesday. It is the beginning of Lent, forty weekdays of prayer and penance in preparation for Easter. Archbishop Allen Vigneron will be the celebrant and homilist at the 12:15 p.m. Mass at St. Aloysius Church, 1234 Washington Boulevard, (1½ blocks north of Michigan Avenue), in downtown Detroit.

Following his homily (at approximately 12:45 p.m.), Archbishop Vigneron will bless and distribute ashes. The ashes are made from the palms used in last year’s Passion (Palm) Sunday liturgy. They are a symbol of penance and are used to mark foreheads with the Sign of the Cross.

Media members please note: You are invited to cover this event. We ask that you respect the solemnity of the liturgy and heed all direction from ushers and archdiocesan personnel. Please do not approach attendees while they are in procession during the liturgy, either when ashes are distributed or during communion.