19.02.2026
Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Service in DCU All Hallows
The beginning of Lent was marked in the beautiful chapel at DCU All Hallows with an ecumenical Ash Wednesday service yesterday (February 18). Archbishop Michael Jackson presided and preached and the service was coordinated in partnership with the Church of Ireland Centre for Education and DCU Chaplaincy. DCU Church of Ireland Chaplain (and Diocesan Reader) Eric Hughes provided the music, proclaimed the Gospel and led the prayers. There was an opportunity during the service to receive ashes.
In his sermon the Archbishop talked about ‘giving up’ things for Lent in terms of a decluttering of motivations rather than being self–righteous.
“And Lent starts today. Such ‘giving up’ has more to do with decluttering our motivations than it has to do with being self–righteous for the sake of it or for the sake of ourselves. As we lessen our load, not only can we travel lighter, but we can take on board more of the concerns and the urgencies of others without feeling the same pressures, the same dead weight,” he said.
He continued: “We see this in two very striking ways in the broad sweep of Readings for today. Isaiah [58: 1–12] hammers home that justice has to do with strong actions following on from strong words: we are to loose, to undo, to let go free, to break; and it is in the cause of sharing, inviting, clothing those without clothes, not neglecting members of you kindred whom you have come to despise – they remain your kin as you remain theirs. St Matthew [6: 1–6, 16–21] hammers home what it is to give alms, to pray and to fast. These are indeed personal acts of public significance but they are not opportunities to draw attention to oneself. All of these dig deep into our motivation”.
You can read the Archbishop’s sermon in full here.