Take a look at the Ash Wednesday service at Gesù Catholic Church in Miami
By Alie Skowronski
A parishioner receives ashes from a Deacon during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing rom only at the back of the church.
Alie Skowronski
askowronski@miamiherald.com
If you passed by Gesù Catholic Church around lunchtime on Wednesday, you would’ve seen people pouring out onto the steps after the Ash Wednesday service. The mass, one of many held at the downtown Miami parish that day, was standing room only even before mass started.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski intended to lead the mass, but he couldn’t make it. Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, ended up leading the noon service. It was packed with people coming to get their Ash Wednesday ashes on their forehead and attend mass. “It’s great to see how busy the mass was and to see people embracing their religion with everything going on in the world,” said Jorge Ferragut who attended the mass.
Take a look at the photos from the service.
People walk of the church after Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Javier López, left, greets parishioners after Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, center, walks up to the altar during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Jorge Ferragut, right, kisses Eileen Faxas on their way out of Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A woman prays after receiving ashes on her forehead during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing rom only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, leads Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Danny Mendes lights a candle for prayer during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, leads Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A parishioner receives ashes from a Deacon during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing rom only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A woman sheds a tear while praying after receiving ashes during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, leads Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, places ashes on a woman's forehead during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A woman prays after receiving ashes on her forehead during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing room only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, a Jesuit priest, places ashes on a woman's forehead during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
People reflect after receiving ashes on their foreheads during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
A parishioner receives ashes from a Deacon during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. The mass was fully packed with standing rom only at the back of the church. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
People stand in the back of the church due to it being full during Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Fr. Orlando Portalatin, right, and Fr. Javier López lead the procession after Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Women talk outside of the church after an Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
Raul Chirinos, left, and Olga Elena Landazuri, with dog Toty, walk out of Ash Wednesday mass on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Gesu Catholic Church in downtown Miami. Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com
