Timothy Wu (11) | Staff Reporter
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th, and it holds deep significance for Catholics worldwide. The day is named after the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful in the shape of a cross, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
The ashes, made from the burned palm branches blessed on the previous year’s Palm Sunday, symbolize repentance, humility, and mortality. They remind us of our need for God’s mercy and the call to turn away from sin. Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but it is a powerful opportunity for Catholics to reflect on their spiritual lives and recommit to living out their faith.
As we begin this holy season, let us remember the true meaning of Ash Wednesday: a call to repentance, renewal, and a deeper relationship with Christ. Let us use this Lent to draw closer to Him and to one another!
