Have you ever wondered what the ashy black cross on peoples foreheads during early February means? This is done on Ash Wednesday, which is a holiday that is celebrated by Catholics and other Protestants such as Lutherans, Anglicans, and Presbyterians. Although there is no set date in which Ash Wednesday occurs yearly, it is celebrated in relation to Easter Sunday, which remembers the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead on his third day of Crucifixion as described in the New Testament. 

It begins 6 weeks prior and marks the beginning of Lent, which is the 40 day period in which celebrators give up everyday pleasures to practice self-discipline. Common things people give up during Lent include: commenting on social media, road rage, video games, sweets, gossip, fast food, not exercising, screen time, and alcohol. Lent is a representation of Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness when he fought against the 3 temptations of turning stone into bread, bowing to Satan, and putting God to the test. Typically, people receive a cross on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday which represents the beginning of the season to remind people of mortal failings and an invitation to receive God’s forgiveness. 

This tradition is performed by a priest and the ashes are derived from the palms used on the previous Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of the holy week before Easter. This began in the 4th century when people laid palms to cover the path Jesus took as he arrived at Jerusalem right before he was crucified a few days afterwards. It was later introduced into Western Christianity in the 9th century. These palms are said to be blessed, so instead of wasting them, their ashes are used in the next Ash Wednesday. Ashes can be scented with incense and even christened by holy water. It is a reminder for Christians to welcome Jesus into their hearts and follow him. The day before Ash Wednesday is known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday and is an opportunity to feast amongst all of the things that will be given up in the 40 days of Lent to follow.