What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day What is Ash Wednesday?Īsh Wednesday – officially known as the Day of Ashes – is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God.ĭuring a Mass, a priest places the ashes on a worshiper's forehead in the shape of a cross.
Here is what you should know about Ash Wednesday and the celebration of Lent. The six-week Lenten period culminates with Easter, when Christians believe Jesus died and was resurrected. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on March 2, 2022, six and a half weeks before Easter. The ash is placed there by a priest or minister in the shape of a cross as a symbol acknowledging sin. That could be a bit startling, unless you know the meaning behind this religious practice. On Ash Wednesday, you may encounter Christians, especially Catholics, wearing a smudge of ashes on their foreheads. Watch Video: Ash Wednesday and Lent: What we know about these Christian events
