Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez will lead the Ash Wednesday Mass at 12:05 p.m. on March 5, 2025, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. This marks the beginning of Lent for Catholics in the region.

Ashes will be distributed to symbolize repentance and a commitment to deepening one's faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during Lent. The distribution will occur across over 200 parishes within the five-county Archdiocese.

Additional Masses are scheduled at 7:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., with a Spanish service at 7:00 p.m. The Bishops of the United States require individuals aged fourteen and older to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, all Fridays during Lent, and Good Friday. Those aged eighteen to fifty-nine must fast by having one full meal on these days, while other meals should be light.

The Cathedral Parish offers Penance and Reconciliation weekdays at 11:30 a.m., Saturdays at 4:15 p.m., and Sundays at various times including services in Spanish.

The Mass with Archbishop Pérez will be streamed live on the Archdiocesan Vimeo Channel and his Facebook page.