Is Ash Wednesday based on a pagan festival? Some Protestant denominations, including Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, United Methodists and Presbyterians, also hold worship services on Ash Wednesday.

Fasting means consuming only one full meal a day two smaller meals that don't together add up to a full meal also are allowed.Ĭhildren and the elderly are exempt from the fasting requirement on Ash Wednesday and during Lent. They also are expected to give up meat on Fridays during Lent.Ĭatholics also are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday. Catholics are not supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday. However, dining out or doing non-essential shopping are considered inappropriate on Ash Wednesday. It is not required that a worshiper wear the ashes for the rest of the day, although many Christians choose to do so. When the priest applies the cross of ashes, he says to the worshiper: '“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” He also may say “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” During this period, Christians show repentance and mourning for their sins, because they believe Christ died for them. The ashes symbolize both death and repentance. More: Here's why now is a great time to subscribe to the El Paso Times The ceremony, which also can be performed by a minister or pastor, is meant to show that a person belongs to Jesus Christ, and it also represents a person's grief and mourning for their sins – the same sins that Christians believe Jesus Christ gave his life for when he died on the cross.Īsh Wednesday is important because it marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. What is Ash Wednesday?Īsh Wednesday – officially known as the Day of Ashes – is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God.ĭuring a Mass, a priest places the ashes on a worshiper's forehead in the shape of a cross. Here is what you should know about Ash Wednesday and the celebration of Lent. That could be a bit startling, unless you know the meaning behind this religious practice.

INDIANAPOLIS – On Ash Wednesday, you may encounter Christians, especially Catholics, wearing a smudge of ashes on their foreheads. Watch Video: Ash Wednesday and Lent: What we know about these Christian events

Preparing ashes for imposition