Wednesday 18 February 2026
I have never been to an Ash Wednesday service before. I think it was the ashes that put me off. Or, thinking more about it, my atheism at the time.
But as a new catholic I didn’t want to miss it, and got dispensation from work to take a very early lunch to attend the 10am service.
Then I walked home with the cross on my forehead.
Thinking about it, unless you managed to spot the Benedict medal on my wrist, this is the only time you might notice I was a Christian. Other times we all blend into the crowd.
I’d like that to change, even in small ways, and Lent might be the perfect time to start.