Today March 1 marks the start of the 40-days of lent season known as Ash Wednesday. People generally wear the ashes which symbolise self-punishment, mourning and mortality throughout the day to publicly express their faith.
One can wonder what religious leaders burn and obtain the ashes from, the answer is, ashes are made from the burning of palms blessed in the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration. When Christians carry palms to recognize the Gospels’ reference to Jesus’ path being covered on palm fronds on the day he entered Jerusalem.
After the burning process, ashes are usually mixed with Holy Water or oil so that it can perfectly stick on ones’ face. This blessing leads someone through the lent season. It’s taken to be a season of reflection, prayer and fasting ahead of Easter.
Christians have to give up something like to adjust an ingrained habit. Others punish themselves by eating only one meal that do not contain any meat.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar.
Christians who observe Lent use it as a time for prayer and penance. By observing Lent, Christians are remembering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who withdrew into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days before his crucifixion.
Wishing you all a blessed month of Lent.