You may have noticed in the heading of the leaflet for Sunday, February 8 the word “Sexagesima” underneath the words “The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany.” Sexagesima appears two Sundays before Ash Wednesday and Quinquagesima appears the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent.
These strange Latin words are intended as signs to take notice: Easter is (about) 60 days away at Sexagisma and (about) 50 days away at Quinquagesima. Since Lent is a period of 40 days (not including Sundays, so it’s really a period of 46 days), once we reach Quinquagesima we’re only a few days away from the beginning of Lent: Ash Wednesday.
The reason these annual notices are needed is that, unlike the date of Christmas, the date of Ash Wednesday changes from year to year. That is because the date of Easter changes from year to year. Easter Day was set on the Gregorian calendar to be the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox, which in 2015 is April 5. Since Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays), the beginning of Lent in 2015 falls on February 18. The earliest Ash Wednesday could possibly fall is February 4 and the latest is March 10.
Beginning on Sunday, February 15 (Quinquagesima), you can read more on this website about Ash Wednesday and Lent. For now, mark February 18 on your calendar and make plans to spend part of Ash Wednesday at Saint Thomas or at a church near you. Saint Thomas offers a said service at 8am, and then choral services with the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys at 12:10pm and 5:30pm. Ashes are imposed and the Holy Eucharist is celebrated at all three services. If you are unable to attend one of the church services, you can receive ashes throughout the day, beginning shortly after the end of the 8am service and extending through the end of the 5:30pm service.
See the calendar for Ash Wednesday 2015.
Do you have questions about all this business with moveable dates and feast days?
Email us with your questions, and we’ll do our best to help you understand.
