Ash Wednesday- For a Lay Man

Ash Wednesday, in the Western Christian calendar, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days (40 days not counting Sundays) before Easter.

At Masses and services of worship on this day, ashes are imposed on the foreheads of the faithful.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance

Biblical significance

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and it marks the beginning of Lent. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning.

Ash Wednesday is a movable fast, occurring 46 days before Easter. It fell on February 17 in 2010, and in 2011 will fall on March 9. In future years Ash Wednesday will occur on these dates:

2012 – February 22 2013 – February 13 2014 – March 5 2015 – February 18 2016 – February 10 2017 – March 1

2018 – February 14 2019 – March 6 2020 – February 26 2021 – February 17 2022 – March 2 2023 – February 22

What is the significance of ashes being placed on the forehead on Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. It is a day of penitence and remembrance of our sins of the past and our ultimate mortality. Palm branches are usually burned and the sign of the cross is placed on the forehead using the ashes. Sometimes a small card or piece of paper is distributed on which each person writes a sin he wishes to be rid of. The cards are then brought to the altar to be burned along with the palm branches. The ash cross is an outward sign of our sorrow and repentance for sins

Bread And Wine: Readings For Lent And Easter 

A Family Journey With Jesus Through Lent: Prayers And Activities for Each Day 

A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent 

Living Lent: Meditations for These Forty Days 

Devotions for Lent (Holy Bible: Mosaic) 

What We Do in Lent: A Child's Activity Book