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Ash Wednesday is Feb. 17, marking the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of reflection that guides people of Christian faith to the “Triduum,” or Sacred Three Days, that begins on the evening of Maundy (Holy) Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday.

To adhere with COVID-19 health guidelines, ashes will be distributed this year by way of an “open house” format, at Hendricks Chapel and also at the Catholic Center, located at 110 Walnut Place. Those desiring ashes will enter the respective location during the prescribed times and proceed, socially distanced, to the front of the chapel where a minister will sprinkle ashes on the head of the participant, rather than rubbing ashes directly on the forehead, while speaking the challenging words of repentance.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, in addition to various additional Christian denominations, have implemented such changes across all of their parishes, congregations and worship communities.

Father Gerry Waterman, Catholic chaplain at �鶹Ƶ��University, will celebrate a virtual Ash Wednesday Mass at 9 a.m. which will be livestreamed on the and will later be available on all of the SU Catholic social media platforms. The distribution of ashes at Hendricks Chapel will include participation from several of the University’s Christian chaplains.

The complete schedule for the distribution of ashes is as follows:

• 7:30–8:30 a.m. “Open House Distribution of Ashes” at the Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place
• 9 a.m. Virtual Ash Wednesday Mass, to be hosted online by the Catholic Center
• 11 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. “Open House Distribution of Ashes” at Hendricks Chapel
• 3–5 p.m. “Open House Distribution of Ashes” at Hendricks Chapel
• 7–7:30 p.m. “Open House Distribution of Ashes” at the Catholic Center

For more information, contact Hendricks Chapel at 315.443.2901 or chapel@syr.edu, or Father Waterman at 315.443.2600 or fwaterma@syr.edu.