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Monday, 5 January
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Ash Wednesday
by Frann LeachAsh Wednesday is the first day in Lent in the Western Christian calendar. It takes place 46 days before Easter, but as Sundays are not counted, Lent is usually thought of as being 40 days in length. It follows Mardi Gras, which is also the last day of the Carnival season.
In many churches the minister or other person officiating marks the foreheads of worshippers with black ashes in the sign of the cross, as a blessing (traditionally, the ashes are prepared by burning the leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday services and mixing them with olive oil). The mark is supposed to remain in place until the sun goes down, when it can be washed off. It symbolises repentance, as described in the Bible (see Matthew 11:21) - though very few people wear sackcloth at this time!
In the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday is designated as a day of fasting.
In the Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed as a day of contemplation by fasting and abstaining from meat. Those aged between 18 and 59 are only permitted to consume one full meal (or two smaller meals, which together should equal a full meal). Practising Catholics should also fast in the same way every Friday in Lent, in particular on Good Friday.
The season of Lent lasts until the Easter Vigil on Easter Saturday.
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