Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed by Western Christians. Ash Wednesday marks the onset of the Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence. The ashes come from a previous Palm Sunday. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season, is a day set aside for prayer and repentance. The Norse practice which has become known as Ash Wednesday was itself, drawn from the Vedic Indian religion. The ceremony is distinctive; there is no liturgical action like it throughout the entire church year. Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday (holy day) that is not a biblical requirement (just like Christmas and Easter, which are not commanded in Scripture). Clergy all over the world dispense ashes, usually made by burning the palm fronds distributed on last year’s Palm Sunday, making the sign of the cross on the bowed foreheads before them. In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday. What is the significance of Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God and marks the beginning of the penitential Lenten season. Officially named "Day of Ashes," Ash Wednesday always falls 40 days before Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting. Ash Wednesday takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too. (Picture: Getty Images) Whilst many are wrapped up in Valentine’s Day today, it should be remembered that it is also Ash Wednesday and the … We fast, we abstain from meat, and we get ashes as a reminder of our human frailty. Ash Wednesday, in the Christian church, the first day of Lent, occurring six and a half weeks before Easter (between February 4 and March 11, depending on the date of Easter). Ash Wednesday, Lent and Holy Week Lent Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten,” which means “long” or “springtime.” The season of Lent is commonly known as the forty-day period of preparation for Easter. It is also known as the 'Day of Ashes'. Centuries ago, participants used to sprinkle themselves with ashes and repent much more publicly, but the practice fell away sometime between the 8th-10th century before evolving into what it … In 2019, Ash Wednesday is March 6. So called because on that day at church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross. The name dies cinerum (day of ashes) which it bears in the Roman Missal is found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary and probably dates from at least the eighth century. Most Latin Rite Roman Catholics observe it, … Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, giving up of sinful habits, and spiritual discipline. Most scholars agree that Lent came into being by the fourth century, but have different views as to its origins. —The Wednesday after Quinquagesima Sunday, which is the first day of the Lenten fast. As they “impose” or “dispense” the ashes, the pastor … It’s Ash Wednesday! It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and falls on the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Of course, Ash Wednesday is best known for, well, the ashes that come along with it. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent and it is TODAY (March 6). Ashes were believed to be the seed Agni , the Indian fire god. The ashes, applied in the shape of a cross, are a symbol of penance, mourning and mortality. A: Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the day many Christians mark as the first day of Lent, the time of reflection and penitence leading up to Easter Sunday. The imposition of ashes is a solemn ritual that signals the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Ashes were believed to be the seed Agni , the Indian fire god. Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar.