Ash Wednesday (Part – 2)

What do the ashes mean?

The ashes, applied in the shape of a cross, are a symbol of penance, mourning and mortality. There aren’t any particular rules about how long the ashes should be worn, but most people wear them throughout the day as a public expression of their faith and penance.

What else do we have to do?

On Ash Wednesday, we must observe a fast—eating only one large meal or two small meals. Those meals must not contain any meat. The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. In fact, 14 and older must refrain from eating meat on every Friday from Ash Wednesday until Good Friday. In accordance with Lent as a time of abstinence, many Catholics choose to give something up or change an ingrained habit during the 40-day period. The Church also encourages the faithful to give more time to prayer and charity before the celebration of Easter. God Bless!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti