Ash Wednesday is one of the
most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday
opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
Ash Wednesday takes place 46
days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many
other Christians observe it too.
Ash Wednesday comes from the
ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the
wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made
us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person's forehead, he speaks the
words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Alternatively, the priest may
speak the words, "Repent and believe in the Gospel."
Ashes also symbolize grief, in
this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.
Writings from the
Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.
Priests administer ashes
during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of
penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the
ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous
year's palm Sunday Mass.
It is important to remember
that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful
take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally
inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving
the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and
sick are exempt from this observance.
It is not required that a
person wear the ashes for the rest of the day, and they may be washed off after
Mass. However, many people keep the ashes as a reminder until the evening.
Recently, movements have
developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public
places. This isn't considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is
distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context
of Mass.
In some cases, ashes may be
delivered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in.
Ash Wednesday marks the
beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and
fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through
which we attain redemption.
WHY WE RECEIVE THE ASHES
Following the example of the
Ninevites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked
with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth.
We remember this when we are told
"Remember, Man is dust,
and unto dust you shall return."
Ashes are a symbol of penance
made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a
spirit of humility and sacrifice.
The distribution of ashes
comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults
performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts
which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over
them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful
recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the
church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of
Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church
again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of
forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether
public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier
times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.
THE ASHES
The ashes are made from the
blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The
ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense.
While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that
God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts.
His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the
Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with
reflection, prayer and penance
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