Garden Grove, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2022) — Catholic Christians around the world will celebrate Ash Wednesday on March 2, including the faithful of the Diocese of Orange.

Though last year’s protocols were adjusted because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year the Diocese is returning to the traditional distribution of ashes by tracing a cross on the forehead. The act is an imitation of the spiritual mark put on a Christian in baptism, when the person is delivered from slavery to sin and the Devil, thus made a servant of righteousness and of Christ.

The ashes used on Ash Wednesday, which always come from burning the blessed palm branches used on Palm Sunday the previous year, indicate that the person belongs to Jesus Christ, who died on the cross.

Media outlets wishing to cover Ash Wednesday at Christ Cathedral or any Diocese of Orange parish are requested to RSVP with the Office of Communications by emailing Bradley Zint (bzint@rcbo.org) or by calling (714) 282-6052.

Ash Wednesday also marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day liturgical season that concludes on Holy Thursday night (April 14) preceding Easter Sunday (April 17). It is a time for reflection for Catholics around the world who view the period as a time for a change of heart, personal repentance and an openness to the grace of a fresh beginning by means of the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Throughout the Diocese, Masses will be celebrated in English, Vietnamese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Latin, Polish, Malayalam, Arabic, Aramaic and Assyrian.

Ash Wednesday will be celebrated in multiple languages at Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, and its adjacent Arboretum church on the cathedral campus. Some of the day’s services will also be livestreamed on the Cathedral’s website and its Facebook page.

Below is the Christ Cathedral campus schedule:

• 6:30 a.m. – Vietnamese Mass in Christ Cathedral (Livestreamed)
• 7 a.m. – Spanish Mass in the Arboretum
• 
8:15 a.m. – English Mass with Christ Cathedral Academy students in the Cathedral
• 12:10 pm – Vietnamese Mass in the Cathedral
• 
5:30 p.m. – Vietnamese Mass in the Arboretum
• 5:30 p.m. – English Mass in the Cathedral (Livestreamed)
• 
7 p.m. – Spanish Mass in the Cathedral (Livestreamed)
• 
8:30 p.m. – Trilingual Liturgy of the Word service with distribution of ashes (no Mass)
• 
  
• About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange

With 1.3 million Catholics, 57 parishes, five Catholic centers and 35 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools welcoming all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, was dedicated in July 2019.

Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at www.rcbo.org.

Pastoral Center: Office of Communications
13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840
Office: 714-282-3075            Fax: 714-282-3029