Our Lady of Guadalupe

Date: February, 18

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. Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.  

The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us.  Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

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. 

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.  

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.”  

The receiving of ashes is an impressive public act of penitence and reconciliation. We acknowledge that we have sinned, but are ready to change.

• “Even now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God.  For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.” Joel 2: 12-13

PRAYER: 

Most glorious and Triune God, You have justly condemned me but mercifully offered me redemption. As I enter this season of Lent, I wholeheartedly acknowledge my sin and repent.

Please be merciful to me, a sinner. Help me to make this Lent a truly penitential season so that my soul will be more disposed to receive You this Easter. Jesus, I trust in You.