Ash Wednesday: Need-to-Know Facts
- 7 years ago
Ash Wednesday:
Need-to-Know Facts Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent on the Christian liturgical calendar. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized. Christians attend church and get blessed by a priest who applies ashes to their forehead. The ashes are drawn in the shape of a cross. The ashes are made from burnt palm leaves from the prior year’s Palm Sunday — the Sunday before Easter. Ashes represent two Biblical themes: Life is temporary and should be lived correctly. Ashes also pay homage to penance. Catholics are instructed not to eat meat on Fridays during lent, with fish being permitted to be eaten. Lent ends on Holy Thursday, which is March 29.
Need-to-Know Facts Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent on the Christian liturgical calendar. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus wandered the desert praying and fasting after he was baptized. Christians attend church and get blessed by a priest who applies ashes to their forehead. The ashes are drawn in the shape of a cross. The ashes are made from burnt palm leaves from the prior year’s Palm Sunday — the Sunday before Easter. Ashes represent two Biblical themes: Life is temporary and should be lived correctly. Ashes also pay homage to penance. Catholics are instructed not to eat meat on Fridays during lent, with fish being permitted to be eaten. Lent ends on Holy Thursday, which is March 29.