Why do we celebrate Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, a penitential season in the Church. Ash Wednesday is a day to reflect on our sins and turn away from them. In The Bible a sign of repentance was to gird yourself in sackcloth and ashes.

The ashes received on the forehead are given with the Words "Remember you are dust, and unto dust you will return" although sometimes parishes will use a more cheery "turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." The ashes are meant to be a sign of repentance and a reminder of our mortality.

The ashes received are from palm leaves from last Palm Sunday being burned. Through this we are reminded of the entrance into the season that will end with the memorials of Jesus' death and resurrection.

For more information, you can visit EWTN's page on Ash Wednesday or view This Rock magazine's history of Ash Wednesday at the sites below.