In the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance – a day of contemplating one’s transgressions. In the Catholic Church, ashes being a “Sacramental” may be given to ANYONE who wishes to receive them, as opposed to a Catholic “Sacrament” which is reserved for Church members, except in cases of grave necessity. The ashes are blessed according to liturgical tradition, for Catholics, involving the use of Holy Water or olive oil. The Liturgical imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a “Sacramental” not a “Sacrament”. The Priest says, “Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return” – Genesis 3:19. The act echoes the ancient tradition of throwing ashes over one’s head to signify repentance before God.
The Priest or in some cases Layperson, marks the forehead of each person with black ashes in the sign of the cross, which the worshipper traditionally retains until it wears off.
For Catholics, at Masses on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads of the faithful. The ashes used are typically gathered after the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday and are burned. Īsh Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day Liturgical period of prayer and fasting. During this time, He endured many temptations by Satan. According to the Canonical Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry. It can occur as early as February 4th or as late as March 10th.
It is a “moveable” feast, falling on a different date each year, simply because it is dependent on the date of Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of lent, and occurs 46 days before Easter.
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