Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is a religious event with a rich history and deep roots in the Catholic Church. This is the day that Lent begins and lasts for 40 days until Easter is celebrated. Lent is the time of penance, reflecting and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Throughout the days of Lent, time is set aside for reflection on Jesus Christ – his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection.
The ashes come from the past year’s Palm Sunday service. During Ash Wednesday service, the priest blesses the ashes with holy water before each of the faithful come forward and he then anoints them with the sign of the cross on their forehead. 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.”
Credits: We Rise Again from Ashes by Mark G.
During our Ash Wednesday service, we sang this beautiful song, “Without Seeing You”. It has so much meaning, especially during Lent.
Credits: Without Seeing You by David Haas
I heard of ash Wednesday growing up but never really understood what it meant. As I was raised in a Luthern church when I was with my Dad and stepmom. I went to a Baptist or Pentecostal when I was with my mother on the weekends. Thank you for explaining what and how Ash Wednesday is to be observed.
I’m glad I was able to explain Ash Wednesday for you Sandy. It is a beautiful and solemn Mass. Thanks for visiting.