Today, 18 February, marks the start of the 40-day Lenten season known as Ash Wednesday. People generally wear ashes, which symbolise repentance, mourning and mortality, throughout the day to publicly express their faith.
One may wonder what religious leaders burn to obtain the ashes. The answer is that the ashes are made from palms blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration, when Christians carry palms to recognise the Gospel account of Jesus’ path being covered with palm fronds as he entered Jerusalem.
After the burning process, the ashes are usually mixed with holy water or oil so that they can stick properly to one’s forehead. This blessing leads believers through the Lenten season, which is regarded as a period of reflection, prayer and fasting ahead of Easter.
Christians are encouraged to give up something to help change an ingrained habit. Others fast by eating only one meal a day that does not contain meat.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) that comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.
Christians who observe Lent use it as a time for prayer and penance. By observing Lent, they remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who withdrew into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days before his crucifixion.
Wishing you all a blessed Lenten season.
