Holy Cross Church in Santa Barbara Hosts Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Holy Cross Catholic Church in Santa Barbara took Ash Wednesday to the streets.

For the second consecutive year, the church hosted a drive-thru Ash Wednesday service on the first day of Lent.

The church, located on Cliff Drive, already features a drive-thru-style entrance. Due to last year’s popularity, organizers expanded the service to include the driveway leading to the back parking lot.

The Rev. Egren Gomez welcomed people of all faiths. Attendees did not need to be members of Holy Cross but were invited to explore the church community.

Drivers and passengers received ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads, marking the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season.

Rain didn’t dampen turnout.

"It is raining a little bit, but it is also raining God's mercy, God's favor, God's friendship. That is what the cross means. When we are signed with the sign of his cross, God is saying, ‘I am with you in a very intimate way on earth,’ and that is what this is all about," Gomez said.

Gomez prioritized blessing passengers first after learning the hard way last year when a driver nearly ran over his foot while he approached the opposite-side door.

Church staff assisted with the service. One child returned for a second blessing after her ashes wore off, while a parishioner in her 90s also enjoyed the convenience of the drive-thru.

Students from Santa Barbara City College stopped by as well.

The church, known for its stained-glass windows, held a bilingual Mass in the morning.

Gomez said he is unaware of another church offering a drive-thru Ash Wednesday service but, given the strong response, plans to continue the tradition.