Ash Wednesday (Part -1)

Ash Wednesday (Part -1)

February 18 is Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the first day of Lent and signals the approach of Easter. Here are certain things to know about the day.

What’s the purpose of Ash Wednesday?

It marks first day of the 40 days of Lent, a roughly six-week period (not including Sundays) dedicated to prayer, fasting and charity in preparation for Easter. In addition to certain rules about foods and fasting, we abstain from additional foods, luxury or material goods or certain activities and habits.

Where do the ashes come from?

They’re obtained from the burning of the palms of the previous Palm Sunday, which occurs on the Sunday before Easter, and applied during services. Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are typically mixed with Holy Water. God Bless!                                      Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti