All About Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday History, Information, Prayers, Resources, Traditions, & More

Ash Wednesday Definition and Summary

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent, in which ashes are placed on the head or forehead of the faithful. It is a fast day and usually falls in February. In 2010, Ash Wednesday falls on February 17 (dates in other years). Prayers: Ash Wednesday Prayers

Basic Facts About Ash Wednesday

Liturgical Color(s): Violet (Purple)
Type of Holiday: Fast
Time of Year: The first day of Lent
Duration: One day
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Repentance, Sorrow, Humility
Alternate Names: dies cinerum (Day of Ashes)
Scriptural References: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; Esther 4:1-3

Introduction

In the Western Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the 40-day period of fasting before Easter. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed, mixed with either holy oil or water, and imposed on the head with the sign of the cross, or sprinkled on the forehead. The ashes are made from burning palm branches blessed the previous year on Palm Sunday. When the priest imposes the ashes he says either "remember man you are dust, and to dust you will return" (see Genesis 3:19), or "turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" (Mark 1:15).

The ashes serve a dual purpose. First, as the above words imply, we are reminded of our mortality and humanity as we begin the Lenten Fast. Second, the ashes are a Biblical symbol of repentance, sorrow, and humility. There are many cases in the Scriptures of wearing ashes as a sign of penitence, often while wearing sackcloth. In 2 Samuel 13:19, Tamar puts on ashes and tears her clothes as a sign of sadness and repentance. In Esther 4:1-3, after learning of the king's decree to kill all Jews, Mordecai tears his garments, and puts on sackcloth and ashes. His fellow Jews do the same thing, as well as beginning to fast. The prophet Jeremiah (6:26) urges his readers to "gird on sackcloth and roll in ashes."

Fasting is a major component of Ash Wednesday, and Ash Wednesday is an official fast day of the Church, along with Good Friday. For official Catholic fast Guidelines, see FAQ Question #3 below. Fasting has a long history in the Church. In Acts 13:1-3, it was while "worshipping the Lord and fasting" that the Holy Spirit led the Apostles to set apart Paul and Barnabas for their work. In Matthew 9:14, Jesus assumes that after he leaves the earth his followers will fast. The history of the Church is filled with stories of fasting and its spiritual value. However, Jesus warns us not to be obvious about our fasting, or only fasting to impress others. Thus, Ash Wednesday is based on the biblical concept of repentance, and the ashes and fasting that are associated with repentance.

History

Ash Wednesday is unknown in the Eastern Church, and developed only in the West. Orthodox Churches begin Lent on a Monday, known as "Clean Monday." Ash Wednesday as an official fast day dates to at least the 8th century, since it appears in the Gregorian Sacramentary from that period. Originally, Lent began on a Sunday. However, in order to bring the number of days of Lent to 40 (the days Jesus fasted in the wilderness), the beginning of Lent was eventually transferred to a Wednesday.

Originally, Ash Wednesday was the day when public penitents in Rome began their penance. Recall that in the early Church, penance was often public and protracted. It was only later that private confession and penance began, for pastoral reasons. When public penance gradually fell into disuse by the 8th century, Ash Wednesday became a day of penitence and fasting for all members of the Church. Today, Ash Wednesday is a universal Fast day in the Catholic Church. Many Western Protestant churches also observe Ash Wednesday, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and United Methodists.

Worship And Prayer Resources

Ash Wednesday Prayers
Prayers for Lent (Lenten Prayers)
Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan (complete version: lentfatherscomplete.pdf)
The Litany of the Precious Blood of Jesus
The Great Litany (Anglican Use)
The Decalogue
Seven Penitential Psalms (in English)
Seven Penitential Psalms (in Latin)
Lenten Canticles
Suggestions for your Lenten Fast
Stations of the Cross
Lent Sermon I Pope St. Leo

Ash Wednesday, Lent, and Church Year Books

A Day in your Presence: 40 Days With St. Francis
Imitation of Christ (a Kempis)
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Holy Bible: New Jerusalem Bible
Christian Prayer: Liturgy of the Hours
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (Cross and Livingstone, eds.)
New St. Joseph People's Prayer Book
The Study of Liturgy (Jones, ed.)
Spirit of the Liturgy (Ratzinger)
Lent Reading List
More Christian & Church Year Books

Traditions and Symbols

Traditions
Fasting, Almsgiving, Scripture Reading, Prayer
Imposition of Ashes

Symbols
Crucifix and Cross
Ashes
The Color Violet

Ash Wednesday Games and Educational Materials

Lent Crossword Puzzle (html)
Lent Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
Interactive Lent Crossword Puzzle

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Didn't Jesus Advise Against Letting Others Know You Are Fasting?
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being hypocritical in their fasting. They would look distressed and often wear make-up to make themselves look more pale and sickly, to show that they were fasting. All of this made them seem more "spiritual" to those around them, even though their hearts were impure. They were fasting out of pride. Jesus tells us to fast in a way that is not obvious. The imposed ashes given during the Ash Wednesday are a liturgical symbol of repentance, not an advertisement that one is fasting. Many people, after receiving ashes will wipe them off, if they are even very visible to begin with. If you are prideful about your ashes and are using them to show off your "spirituality" to others, wipe them off. Others keep the ashes on, and do so because the ashes are a witness to others of the importance of repentance, not because they are trying to impress anybody. In today's society, wearing ashes is more of a novelty and conversation-starter, not a chance to show-off spiritually. In many countries, ashes are sprinkled on the forehead, and not visible anyway. However, we must still remember Jesus' words: [fast so] that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matthew 6:18 RSV).

2. Why Have I Never Heard of Ash Wednesday?
For some reason many churches, even though they celebrate Christmas and Easter, ignore Lent entirely, which includes Ash Wednesday. Why? Well, many liberal churches believe that Lent places too much emphasis on sin, guilt, and wrongdoing and would prefer to do away with what they consider to be such outdated talk. Churches that have been influenced by the Radical Reformation, including Baptists, Pentecostals, and so-called "Non-Denominational" churches, have never observed Lent, probably because it is a "tradition" of the Church. However, the idea of Lent, emulating our Lord's 40 days in the wilderness is certainly a Bible-based tradition. Another possible reason (which is tied to the first two reasons) is that Lent is difficult, and requires that we examine material and spiritual excesses in our lives. It is contrary to our culture's idea that everything (including one's faith) must be happy, easy, and have mass popular appeal. Of course, such ideas are secular modern and postmodern ideals, not based on the Bible, Jesus, or Christian history. The reality is that Jesus' life was full of poverty, simplicity, and sacrifice, ideals we strive for our entire lives, but focus on during Lent.

3. What are The Western Catholic Lenten Fasting and Abstinence Guidelines?
The minimum the Catholic Church expects is fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and abstinence on the Fridays of Lent. Fasting means eating only one full meatless meal on that day. However, one may still eat a breakfast and even a lunch in addition to a full meal if the two additional small meals do not add up to a second full meal. Snacking is not allowed. Drinking coffee, tea, juices, etc, between meals is permitted on fast days. Abstinence requires abstaining from meat for the entire day. Meat is defined as the "flesh meat of warm-blooded animals." This is the reason why Catholics often eat fish on Fridays, but anything meatless works. The requirements are slightly different for those of certain ages. Fasting is only required of those from ages 18-59, and abstinence is required of all people 14 and older, although parents are expected to teach their children the reasons behind their fasting, etc. Those with health conditions are excluded. Note that some Western bishop conferences may have more strict/less strict fast and abstinence requirements, so it is wise to check with your local parish for local fast and abstinence expectations. Also, Eastern Catholic Rites have different fasting guidelines. These are simply the minimum expectations. Additional forms of self-denial, within reason, can also be spiritually beneficial.

4. What Are The Names of the 3 Days Before Ash Wednesday?
These three days, beginning with the Sunday before Ash Wednesday are collectively known as "Shrovetide." The Sunday Before Ash Wednesday has been called Hall Sunday, meaning hallowed or holy Sunday, and Carling Sunday from the European custom of eating parched peas fried in butter (carlings) on this day. The Monday before Ash Wednesday has been called Hall Monday, Callop Monday, named for a food eaten that day, and Blue Monday, named because on this Monday the penitence of Lent is approaching, thus causing some to have feelings of depression, symbolized by the color blue. However, others have called the day Merry Monday, because for some, it is a day to party before Lent. Tuesday has been called Hall Night, Shrove Tuesday (see #3 above), Pancake Day (see #3 above), and Mardi Gras (see #3 above).

Art and Poetry

Temptation of Christ (Botticelli)
St. Thomas of Villaneuva Distributing Alms (Murillo)
Praying Shepherd (Pieter Bruegel II)
The Fast Day Meal (Chardin)
More Christian and Liturgical Artwork

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In the course of a year, the Church celebrates the unfolding of the mystery of Christ, beginning with Advent, anticipating his first coming, and reaching a high point at Easter, the feast of feasts, celebrating Christ's resurrection. Through the Church Year, which includes the seasonal, daily, and yearly cycles of Christian time, we commemorate, and participate in, events in the lives of Jesus and his followers, through sanctified time. Thus, we experience in symbol what Jesus and his followers did in reality. We do this through daily prayer (The Liturgy of the Hours), worship, the Eucharist, the sacraments, art, changing colors, canticles, psalms, antiphons, symbols, and other means.

The Church Year, including all liturgical celebrations and times of prayer, is one of the most meaningful dimensions of the Catholic faith. Many Christians of all traditions feel drawn to this system of holy time, and prefer to orient their lives around the Christian calendar instead of the secular calendar. Postmodern men and women feel especially drawn to many elements of Sanctified Time: mystery, connection to the past, and a multitude of religious symbols and experiential elements. Thus the Church Year is a postmodern Catholic evangelism tool, and a means of spiritual growth for all who use it.

We now have All About...! pages for every season of the Church Year, and have many All About...! pages for various feasts, fasts, and holy days of the Church Year. Each All About...! page has a history, general facts, scriptural references, traditions, symbols, links, worship resources, sermons, an FAQ, and more material related to the particular season or holy day. We also have a helpful Church Year and Liturgy Dictionary, to define certain unfamiliar terms and practices. We are expanding our resources to include general prayers, language resources, and other tools peripherally related to celebrating the Church Year, but still important to its celebration. Enjoy!

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This page written by David Bennett. Last updated 03-01-2007.