Ash Wednesday Masses by Parish

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual renewal which helps us prepare for the celebration of the paschal mystery of Christ, his passion, death and resurrection.

The ashes we receive on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday are both a reminder of our earthly mortality and a call to repentance. The ashes are made by burning the palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed by the priest, who then dips his thumb in them and makes the Sign of the Cross on each person’s forehead, while saying these words: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19) or "Repent and believe in the Gospel." 

Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and a day of abstinence from meat. Fasting applies to Catholics between the ages of 18 and 60 and means you should only eat one full meal and two smaller meals if needed. All Catholics age 14 and above should abstain from eating meat on the day,

Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass to begin their Lenten journey. All Mass times below are for Wednesday, February 14, 2024. The distribution of ashes takes place at all Masses.

A special collection taken up in all churches on Ash Wednesday will jointly benefit the Church in Central and Eastern Europe and the Solidarity Fund for Africa. The collection supports pastoral, educational and construction projects in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which were formerly under Soviet control.  It also supports projects that benefit family life, women, and children in Africa.

Ash Wednesday Masses and Distribution of Ashes

Find a listing by parish below. Find a listing here by city/town.

All Saints Parish, Brunswick

Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 82 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor - Mass at Noon

St. Ambrose Church, 29 Kimball Street, Richmond - Mass at 10 a.m.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 132 McKeen Street, Brunswick - Masses at Noon and 6:30 p.m.

St John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street, Brunswick - Mass at 8 a.m.

St. Mary Church, 144 Lincoln Street, Bath - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Patrick Church, 380 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle - Mass at 6 p.m.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Portland

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland -  Latin Mass at 8 a.m. in the chapel, 12:15 p.m. celebrated by Bishop Robert Deeley, Mass at 6 p.m., and Mass at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel.

Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, East Millinocket

St. Martin of Tours Church, 19 Colby Street, Millinocket - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Peter Church, 58 Cedar Street, East Millinocket - Mass at 4:30 p.m.

Christ the King Parish, Skowhegan

Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water Street, Skowhegan - Masses at noon and 6 p.m.

St. Peter Church, 27 Owens Street, Bingham - Mass at 2:30 p.m.

St. Sebastian Church, 161 Main Street, Madison - Mass at 8 a.m.

Christian Life Center, Frenchville

Christian Life Center, 444 U.S. Route One, Frenchville - Mass at 11 a.m.

Corpus Christi Parish, Waterville

Notre Dame du Perpetual Secours Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville - Mass at 12:15 p.m.

St. John the Baptist Church, 26 Monument Street, Winslow - Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at 7 a.m. Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Good Shepherd Parish, Saco

Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main Street, Saco - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 178 Elm Street, Biddeford - Masses at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Margaret Church, 6 Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach - Mass at Noon

St. Philip Church, 404 Goodwins Mills Road, Lyman - Mass at 9 a.m.

Holy Family Parish, Greenville

Holy Family Church, 145 Pritham Avenue, Greenville - Mass at Noon

Holy Spirit Parish, Wells

St. Martha Church, 34 Portland Road, Kennebunk - Masses at 9:15 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Road, Wells - Masses at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Auburn

Sacred Heart Church, 8 Sacred Heart Place, Auburn - Masses at 7 a.m. and noon

St. Philip Church, 2365 Turner Road, Auburn - Mass at 6 p.m.

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish, Madawaska

St. David Church, 774 Main Street, Madawaska - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel Church, 363 Main Street, Grand Isle - Mass at 4 pm.

St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 309 St. Thomas Street, Madawaska - Mass at 6 p.m.

Our Lady of Hope Parish, Portland

St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Avenue, Portland - Mass at 9 a.m., Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes at 12:15 p.m. and Mass at 7 p.m.

Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, Lincoln

St. Leo the Great Church, 16 River Road, Howland - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Mary of Lourdes Church, 142 Main Street, Lincoln - Mass at 5:30 p.m.

Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Oquossoc

St John Church, 76 Main Street, Stratton - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Luke Church, 19 Lake Street, Rangeley - Mass at 4 p.m.

Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Dexter

St. Anne Church, 64 Free Street, Dexter - Mass at 6 p.m.

Our Lady of the Valley Parish, St. Agatha

St. Agatha Church, 379 Main Street, St. Agatha - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 413 Shore Road, Sinclair - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

Parish of the Ascension of the Lord, Kittery

Our Lady of the Angels Church, 4 Angels' Way, South Berwick - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane, York - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

St. Raphael Church, 6 Whipple Road, Kittery - Mass at 9:30 a.m.

Parish of the Holy Eucharist, Falmouth

Holy Martyrs of North America Church, 266 Foreside Road, Falmouth - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, 326 Main Street, Yarmouth - Mass at 8 a.m., Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes at 12:15 p.m.

St. Gregory Church, 24 North Raymond Road, Gray - Mass at 8 a.m.

St. Jude Church, 134 Main Street, Freeport - Mass at 6 p.m.

Parish of the Holy Savior, Rumford

Our Lady of the Snows Church, 265 Walker's Mills Road, Bethel - Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Athanasius & St. John Church, 126 Maine Avenue, Rumford - Mass at 6 p.m.

Parish of the Precious Blood, Caribou

Holy Rosary Church, 34 Vaughn Street, Caribou - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 333 Main Street, Presque Isle - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church,1141 Van Buren Road, North Caribou - Mass at noon

St. Denis Church, 147 Main Street, Fort Fairfield - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Church, 17 Main Street, Mars Hill - Mass at Noon

St. Louis Church, 106 Main Street, Limestone - Mass at noon

St. Mark Church, 13 Allen Farm Road, Ashland - Mass at 6 p.m.

Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, Old Town

Holy Family Church, 429 Main Street, Old Town - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.; Sacrament of Reconciliation at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

St. Ann Church, 84 Main Street, Bradley - Mass at 6 p.m. preceded by Sacrament of Reconciliation at 5 p.m.

St. Ann Church, 6 Down Street, Penobscot Nation - Mass at 7 a.m.

University of Maine Boudreau Hall #119, Orono - Distribution of Ashes at noon

Parish of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bar Harbor

Holy Redeemer Church, 56 Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Prince of Peace Parish, Lewiston

Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street, Lewiston - Mass at Noon

Bates College, College Street, Lewiston - 5:30 p.m.

Holy Cross Church, 1080 Lisbon Street, Lewiston - Masses at 8:30 a.m. (with St. Dominic Academy students) and 5:30 p.m.

Holy Family Church, 607 Sabattus Street, Lewiston - Mass at 7 a.m.

Holy Trinity Church, 67 Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon Falls - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 131 High Street, Sabattus - Mass at 6 p.m.

Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish, Portland

Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street, Portland - Mass at 6 p.m. celebrated in Spanish

St. Agnes Parish, Island Falls

St. Agnes Church, 76 Sewall Street, Island Falls - Mass at noon

St. Agnes Parish, Pittsfield

St. Agnes Church, 238 Detroit Street, Pittsfield - Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Jackman

St. Faustina Church, 370 Main Street, Jackman - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Westbrook

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 919 Roosevelt Trail, Windham - Masses at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Anne Church, 299 Main Street, Gorham - Masses at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Hyacinth Church, 268 Brown Street, Westbrook - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

St. Benedict Parish, Benedicta

St. Benedict Church, 1063 Benedicta Road, Benedicta - Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Brendan the Navigator Parish, Camden

Our Lady of Good Hope Church, 7 Union Street, Camden - Mass at 8 a.m.

St. Bernard Church, 150 Broadway, Rockland - Mass at 6:30 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street, Belfast - Mass at 6:30 p.m.

Ashes will also be distributed in the chapel of Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast at 11 a.m. and at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport at noon.

St. Christopher Parish, Peaks Island

St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue, Peaks Island - Mass at 6:30 p.m.

St. John Paul II Parish, Scarborough

Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.; Liturgy of the Word with Distribution of Ashes at 1 p.m.

St. Bartholomew Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth - Mass at 5 p.m.

St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough - Masses at Noon and 6 p.m.

St. John Vianney Parish, Fort Kent

Christian Life Center, 444 U.S. Route One, Frenchville - Mass at 11 a.m.

St. Charles Borromeo Church, 912 Main Street, St. Francis - Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Joseph Church, 7 Church Street, Wallagrass - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Louis Church, 26 East Main Street, Fort Kent - Masses at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

St. Mary Church, 3451 Aroostook Road, Eagle Lake - Mass at Noon

St. Joseph Parish, Bridgton

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street, Fryeburg - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 225 South High Street, Bridgton - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Ellsworth

St. Joseph Church, 231 Main Street, Ellsworth - Masses at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

St. Joseph Parish, Farmington

St. Joseph Church, 133 Middle Street, Farmington - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish, Calais

Immaculate Conception Church, 31 Calais Avenue, Calais - Mass at 5:30 p.m.

St. James the Greater Church, 15 Hillside Street, Baileyville - Mass at 9 a.m.

St. Joseph Eastport, 51 Washington Street, Eastport - Mass at noon

St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, Houlton

St. Mary of the Visitation Church, 110 Military Street, Houlton - Masses at 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Matthew Parish, Limerick

St. Matthew Church, 19 Dora Lane, Limerick - Masses at 8 a.mn. and 4 p.m. Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at noon

St. Michael Parish, Augusta

St. Augustine Church, 75 Northern Avenue, Augusta - Mass at 7:30 a.m.

St. Denis Church, 298 Grand Army Road, Whitefield - Mass at 6:30 p.m.

St. Francis Xavier Church, 130 U.S. Route 133, Winthrop - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Joseph Church, 110 School Street, Gardiner - Mass at 8:30 a.m.

St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue, Augusta - Mass at 9 a.m. (with St. Michael School students), Liturgy of the Word and Distribution of Ashes at Noon, and Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor

St. Gabriel Church, 435 South Main Street, Winterport - Mass at 4 p.m.

St. John Church, 217 York Street, Bangor - Masses at 9:30 a.m. (with children from All Saints School) and noon

St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main Street, Brewer - Mass at 4 p.m.

St. Mary Church, 768 Ohio Street, Bangor - Masses at 7 am. and 8:30 a.m.

St. Matthew Church, 70 Western Avenue, Hampden - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Teresa Church, 425 South Main Street, Brewer - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Peter Parish, Portland

St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland - Mass at 7 a.m.

St. Peter Chanel Parish, Van Buren

St. Bruno - St. Remi Church, 174 Main Street, Van Buren - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Machias

Holy Name of Jesus Church, 8 Free Street, Machias - Masses at 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Church, 14 Hamilton Street, Lubec -  Mass at 5 p.m.

St. Michael Church, 51 Elm Street, Cherryfield - Mass at 5 p.m.

St. Rose of Lima Parish, Jay

St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay - Masses at 12:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.

St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Norway

Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm Street, Mechanic Falls - Mass at 6 p.m.

St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway - Mass at 8 a.m..

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish, Sanford

Holy Family Church, 66 North Avenue, Sanford - Masses at 10 a.m. and 6  p.m.; Liturgy of the Word with distribution of ashes at noon

Stella Maris Parish, Bucksport

Our Lady of Holy Hope Church, 137 Perkins Street, Castine - Mass at 4 p.m.

St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 8 Granite Street, Stonington - Mass at 8 a.m.

St. Vincent de Paul Church, 64 Franklin Street, Bucksport - Mass at 6 p.m.