Facts About Ash Wednesday

In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent, a time of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.

Originally called, dies cinerum (day of ashes), Ash Wednesday most likely dates all the way back to at least the 8th century.

The clergy and the congregation have ash placed on their forehead as a sign of penitence, in the shape of a cross, by the priest. During this event the priest recites some instructions, "Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19), " "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark 1:15), or "Repent, and hear the good news" (Mark 1:15).

The ashes are from palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. These ashes are blessed before Mass on Ash Wednesday.

According to the Bible, in ancient times people would dust themselves with ashes as a way to express penitence. it was a way of showing remorse for sins.

At first, the clerks and all the men has ashes sprinkled on their heads. The women however, received an ash cross on their foreheads. Eventually this changed and the men received to the same ritual as the women.

In the Roman Catholic Church, this day is observed by fasting and repentance. The Anglican Book of Common Prayers, also associates this day, as a day of fasting.

Anglican or Episcopal churches, Lutheran, Methodist, reformed churches such as, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ, the Roman Catholic Church and Wesleyan churches, are among those that take park in Ash Wednesday. They either hold Mass or a service of worship.

Not all Christians take part in Ash Wednesday. Many say that it is not consistent with Scripture, and that it is of pagan origin. True, Ash Wednesday is not mentioned in Scripture and it is not commanded by God. Christians are free to take part in it if they want, but they do not have to.

Each year the date of Ash Wednesday changes, but it is always six and a half weeks before Easter. Therefore the date of Ash Wednesday, depends on the date of Easter. It can be as early as February 4th, or as late as March 10th.

This year Ash Wednesday will fall on February 6th. In subsequent years, it will fall on these dates:

2009:

Ash Wednesday has never landed on February 29th, Leap Year day, and this will not happen until the year 2096.

sources:

americancatholic.org

wikipedia online

encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia 2/25
2010: 2/17
2011: 3/9
2012: 2/22
2013: 2/13
2014: 3/5
2015: 2/18
2016: 2/10
2017: 3/1
2018: 2/14
2019: 3/6