DALLAS — Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, but due to the weather, some parishes have postponed or canceled mass altogether. 

The Diocese of Dallas said due to the extreme weather and dangerous road conditions, many parishes in the diocese have already announced they are closed and that Ash Wednesday services are canceled. Others will make the decision Wednesday morning. Many churches will distribute ashes at the end of masses on Sunday. 

Several other parishes across Texas have also canceled their Ash Wednesday masses. For those planning on attending mass, please check with your parish for more details. 

Although Ash Wednesday is an important day for Catholics, it is not a holy day of obligation. It is a day when the Church calls Catholics to observe abstinence and fasting so long as they are able to do so. Lent is a 40-day event of fasting and reflection in spiritual preparation for Easter.

For those parishes still holding mass, the Vatican issued some modifications to the mass due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The priest, deacon, or minister will not mark the forehead with a cross. Rather, the ashes will be sprinkled on the top of the head. This is a tradition in certain parts of the world already including the Vatican.