LENT BEGINS ON ASH WEDNESDAY

CHICAGO, IL (February 8, 2016) – Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season for Roman Catholics everywhere. On Wednesday, February 10,Catholics will attend services where they will receive ashes on their
foreheads, as a symbol of penance. Archbishop Blase J. Cupich will celebrate Mass on this day at 8 a.m., at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago. That evening, at 5:15 p.m., Archbishop
Cupich will celebrate Mass with university students at the St. John Paul II Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, 770 South Morgan Street in Chicago.

As part of the Lenten tradition, the Sacrament of Penance is always offered throughout the season. This year, the Days of Mercy and Forgiveness will include more than a dozen locations around the Archdiocese of Chicago in Cook and Lake counties, offering special opportunities for the Sacrament of Penance and prayers of healing from
noon on Friday, March 4, until noon on Saturday, March 5. A number of resources are available at
jubileemercy.org/days-of-mercy-and-forgiveness.

During Lent, CRS Rice Bowl offers an innovative way for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Chicago to pray, fast and give alms. Each parish and school in Lake and Cook Counties is invited to participate in this
Lenten faith-formation tool, which goes beyond just donating. Numerous resources on Rice Bowl, including the Rice Bowl Grant, the mobile app and events around the Archdiocese can be found on the Office for Peace
and Justice website: www.chicagopeaceandjustice.org/crs-rice-bowl.

Lenten resources, including special Lenten events, email retreats and Lenten regulations are available on the Archdiocesan website, www.archchicago.org/lent.