by Barbara Anderson

Created on: February 10, 2009

Ash Wednesday is a holy day observed by Christians all over the world. It marks the beginning of Lent, the period of prayers, penance and self reflection leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The most visible sign of Ash Wednesday is the cross of black ash marked on the forehead. These ashes are made from the burnt palm leaves from previous Palm Sunday celebrations, mixed with a small amount of oil, and blessed by the priest.

We can trace the use of ashes as a symbol of sorrow, humility and repentance back to both Old and New Testaments where wearing sackcloth and sprinkling the head with ashes is often described as a sign of repentance for wrongdoing. The ash also is a reminder of our own mortality. "Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return" is the traditional prayer as the minister applies the ashes to the forehead.

On Ash Wednesday, many Christian churches hold masses and/or special prayer services. The penitential psalms, hymns, and scriptural readings used as part of these services remind the faithful to repent of their past sins, to seek God's forgiveness, and to turn away from sin in the future. They are encouraged to pray more often, and reflect on ways they can improve their relationship with God. Alms giving is also highly encouraged, and special collections are often taken up during the service to help the poor of the community. Finally, during or at the end the service, the ashes are placed on the foreheads of those attending by the priest or minister.

In some churches, the people wash off the ashes before leaving as a symbol that they have been cleansed of their sins. In most others, however, the faithful leave the ashes on their foreheads, not removing them until the evening. This serves as a reminder of their repentance for sins and desire for forgiveness by God, and as an outward sign of their faith.

For Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday is also a day of fast and abstinence. Adults between the ages of 18 and 60 are required to fast. This means they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller meals during the day, with no food in between. The rule of abstinence forbids anyone over the age of 14 to eat meat, or any food made from meat.

Attending mass or worship services, prayer, fasting, alms giving, personal reflection, and being marked with an visible sign of repentance are some of the ways Christians all over the world observe Ash Wednesday.

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