Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter and marks the first day of Lent, a period of prayer and fasting for Christians.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, adherents of Lent will have an ash cross placed on their foreheads symbolizing mourning and repentance.

In Bloomfield, many churches will have special masses and ash distribution services. 

St. Thomas the Apostle Church

60 Byrd Avenue

Ash Wednesday Mass and Prayer Services

7:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Mass

4:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service

Ashes will be distributed during all Masses and Worship Services

Sacred Heart Church

76 Broad Street

Ash Wednesday Mass 8am, 12:10pm and 7:30pm.

There will also be a service with ashes at 4:00pm.

St. John's Lutheran Church of Bloomfield

216 Liberty St

Ash Wednesday Mass & Ash Distribution

7:30 pm

Park United Methodist Church

120 Broad Street

Ash Wednesday Worship Service

7:00 pm

The Church of St. Valentine

125 N. Spring Street

Ash Wednesday Mass & Ash Distribution

7:00 pm

See also:  "Ashes to Go"

in Bloomfield/Glen Ridge

• At the Glen Ridge and Bloomfield train stations and at the bus stop in front of Christ Church, from 5:30 to 7 a.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m., from the Rev. Anne Koehler of Christ Episcopal Church.

In Montclair:

• The Walnut Street Train Station from 7 to 8 a.m., by the Rev. Andrew Butler and the Rev. Dr. Peter Jackson of St. John's Episcopal Church.
• Montclair State University at The Center for Faith & Spirituality (SC 112), from 12 to 6 p.m., 1:30 to 2 p.m., 3:30 to 4 p.m. and 5:30 to 6 p.m. from Chaplain Diana Wilcox.

If you know of any other Ash Wednesday services in town, tell us in the comments section or email the editor at Linda@Patch.com