Some churches are making it easier for worshippers to observe Ash Wednesday this year by offering drive-thru ashes. The tradition, which marks the beginning of Lent, typically takes place during a formal church service, but select congregations are allowing participants to receive ashes without leaving their vehicles.
St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Roswell is one of the locations offering this service, welcoming visitors between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. today. Along with the customary cross of ashes placed on the forehead, each recipient will also be offered a brief prayer. The practice of drive-thru ashes first emerged in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and has since continued as a convenient option for those unable to attend a full service.
In past years, those traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport also had the opportunity to receive ashes through the ATL Interfaith Airport Chaplaincy. Chaplains at the airport distributed ashes to both passengers and employees, offering a moment of spiritual reflection amid the busy terminals. One traveler, who had never missed an Ash Wednesday service in 68 years, shared her gratitude upon unexpectedly finding a chaplain in Concourse A, allowing her to continue her journey with a renewed sense of peace.
As the season of Lent begins, churches and chaplaincies continue to find creative ways to reach worshippers, ensuring that the tradition of receiving ashes remains accessible to all.
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