Lent & Easter 2017 – Ash Wednesday, Ash Wednesday 2015, When Ash Wednesday 2015 Wednesday, February 10th, Ash Wednesday "Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return." Gn. 3:19 Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. (Joel 2:13) Reflection The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire (Esther 4:1). Job repented in sackcloth and ashes (Job 42:6). Prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem, Daniel wrote, "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Daniel 9:3).

Jesus made reference to ashes, "If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have reformed in sackcloth and ashes long ago" (Matthew 11:21). In the Middle Ages, the priest would bless the dying person with holy water, saying, "Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return." The Church adapted the use of ashes to mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, when we remember our mortality and mourn for our sins. In our present liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we use ashes made from the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." As we begin this holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter, we must remember the significance of the ashes we have received: We mourn and do penance for our sins. We again convert our hearts to the Lord, who suffered, died, and rose for our salvation.

We renew the promises made at our baptism, when we died to an old life and rose to a new life with Christ. Finally, mindful that the kingdom of this world passes away, we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to its fulfillment in heaven. Lenten Question Q: What is Lent? A: Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). [This traditional ennumeration does not precisely coincide with the calendar according to the liturgical reform. In order to give special prominence to the Sacred Triduum (Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) the current calendar counts Lent as only from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, up to the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Even so, Lenten practices are properly maintained up to the Easter Vigil, excluding Sundays, as before.] Lenten Action Invite a non-practicing friend to Mass with you. Prayer Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.

Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Ash Wednesday is a day of both fasting and abstinence. February 11th - February 13th Thursday, February 11th "Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps." (Luke 9:23) Reflection Give up complaining... focus on gratitude Give up pessimism... become an optimist Give up harsh judgments... think kindly thoughts Give up worry... trust Divine Providence Give up discouragement... be full of hope Give up bitterness... turn to forgiveness Give up hatred... return good for evil Give up negativism... be positive Give up anger... be more patient Give up pettiness... become mature Give up gloom... enjoy the beauty that is all around you Give up jealousy... pray for trust Give up gossiping... control your tongue Give up sin...

turn to virtue Give up giving up... hang in there! Lenten Question Q: Why are the forty days called Lent? A: They are called Lent because that is the Old English word for spring, the season of the year during which they fall. This is something unique to English. In almost all other languages its name is a derivative of the Latin term, or "the forty days." Lenten Action Think of a person with whom you have a strained relationship and make some gesture toward improving that relationship. Prayer Direct our actions, Lord, by your holy inspiration and carry them forward by your gracious help, that all our works may begin in you and by you be happily ended. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen. Friday, February 12th The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence from meat. This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed.

(Isaiah 58:6) Reflection We must always remember what God tells us in Scripture: "Even if a mother could forget the child in her womb" - something impossible, but even if she could forget - "I will never forget you." And so here I am talking with you. I want you to find the poor here, right in your own home first. And begin love there. Be that good news to your own people first. And find out about your next-door neighbors. Do you know who they are? I had the most extraordinary experience of love of neighbor with a Hindu family. A gentleman came to our house and said: "Mother Teresa, there is a family who have not eaten for so long. Do something." So I took some rice and went there immediately. And I saw the children - their eyes shining with hunger. I don't know if you have ever seen hunger. But I have seen it very often. And the mother of the family took the rice I gave her and went out. When she came back, I asked her: "Where did you go? What did you do?" And she gave me a very simple answer: "They are hungry also." What struck me was that she knew - and who are they?

A Muslim family - and she knew. I didn't bring any more rice that evening because I wanted them, Hindus and Muslims, to enjoy the joy of sharing. ..... Mother Teresa Lenten Question Q: What is a day of fast and abstinence? A: Under current canon law in the Western Rite of the Church, a day of fast is one on which Catholics who are eighteen to sixty years old are required to keep a limited fast. In this country, one may eat a single, normal meal and have two snacks, so long as these snacks do not add up to a second meal. Children are not required to fast, but their parents must ensure they are properly educated in the spiritual practice of fasting. Those with medical conditions requiring a greater or more regular food intake can easily be dispensed from the requirement of fasting by their pastor. A day of abstinence is a day on which Catholics fourteen years or older are required to abstain from eating meat (under the current discipline in America, fish, eggs, milk products, and condiments or foods made using animal fat are permitted in the Western Rite of the Church, though not in the Eastern Rites.) Again, persons with special dietary needs can easily be dispensed by their pastor.

Lenten Action Schedule a fifteen minute period of silence today to listen to your heart and to the Lord speaking to you. Prayer Lord, with your loving care guide the penance we have begun. Help us to persevere with love and sincerity. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Saturday, February 13th If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness. (Isaiah 58:10) Reflection "Repent, and believe in the gospel," Jesus told the crowds (Mark 1:15). Perhaps at times we listen to sermons or read the gospels and apply the message to others. Often we can think of many people who need to repent. However we must be careful not to apply the gospel only to others. This call to repentance applies first of all to you and me. Recall that Jesus often preached in the synagogues and at the temple. He was preaching to the church goers and church workers. The call to repentance was not just to those sinners out there.

The message of repentance is for Church leaders and workers. It is for you and me. Lenten Question Q: When does Lent begin? A: Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which is the day on which the faithful have their foreheads signed with ashes in the form of a Cross. It is also a day of fast and abstinence. Lenten Action Make a note on your calendar to participate in the Sacrament of Penance. Prayer Father, look upon our weakness and reach out to help us with your loving power. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Ash Wednesday: 4 Things to Know About the Catholic Holiday Andrew Burton—Getty Images John McCann, a layman at Trinity Church, draws a cross using ash on a man's forehead to symbolize Ash Wednesday, in New York in 2014. What to know about the start of Lent Feb. 18 is Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the first day of Lent and signals the approach of Easter. Here are three things to know about the day. What’s the purpose of Ash Wednesday?

It marks first day of the 40 days of Lent, a roughly six-week period (not including Sundays) dedicated to reflection, prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter. It ends on Holy Thursday, the fifth day of Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) that marks the Last Supper. In addition to certain rules about foods and fasting, many Christians (and even non-Christians) abstain from additional foods, luxury or material goods or certain activities and habits. Where do the ashes some people put on their face come from? They’re obtained from the burning of the palms of the previous Palm Sunday, which occurs on the Sunday before Easter, and applied during services. Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ return to Jerusalem, when people waved palm branches to celebrate his arrival. The ashes are typically mixed with Holy Water or oil. What do the ashes mean? The ashes, applied in the shape of a cross, are a symbol of penance, mourning and mortality. Centuries ago, participants used to sprinkle themselves with ashes and repent much more publicly, but the practice fell away sometime between the 8th-10th century before evolving into what it is today.

There aren’t any particular rules about how long the ashes should be worn, but most people wear them throughout the day as a public expression of their faith and penance. What else do Catholics have to do? On Ash Wednesday, Catholic adults must observe a fast—eating only one large meal or two small meals. Those meals must not contain any meat. In fact, Catholics 14 and older must refrain from eating meat on every Friday from Ash Wednesday until Good Friday. In accordance with Lent as a time of abstinence, many Catholics choose to give something up or change an ingrained habit during the 40-day period. The Church also encourages the faithful to give more time to prayer and charity before the celebration of Easter. Ash Wednesday Christiantimelines.com and Studychurchhistory.com presents Summaries of Christianity Information and 150+ summaries at christiantimelines.com/summaries.htm or click at bottom Whatï¿½s Up with Ash Wednesday? The season of Lent, the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, is filled with symbolism. Yet Ash Wednesday and Lent, and the observances surrounding both, did not originate in the New Testament but are celebrations which developed over the course of Church history.

We will focus on Ash Wednesday today and on Lent next week. From the beginning. The Lenten season lasts for forty days. It begins on a Wednesday, called Ash Wednesday, and ends on Easter Sunday. But this is misleading: if you count the days from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday you will get forty-six days. So why the discrepancy? Because the Sundays are not counted. So, starting with Easter Sunday and counting backwards on the calendar, while not counting the Sundays, will cause the first day of Lent to occur on a Wednesday. And since the date of Easter changes from year to year, so does the date of Ash Wednesday. The ï¿½Ashï¿½ part of the first Wednesday in Lent derives from the practice of Christians receiving an ash mark, usually on their forehead and in the shape of a cross. Understanding why the shape of a cross is used is easy, but the ash part is not as obvious. The origins of using ashes goes back to biblical practices, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

In Job 2:8, after experiencing the death of his children, the ruin of his fortune, and disease on his body, Job ï¿½sat among the ashes.ï¿½ In Matthew 11:21, Jesus denounced some cities where he had performed miracles. They had not repented, and he said that if the miracles had been done in other cities, ï¿½they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.ï¿½ So the Bible uses ashes on the body as a sign of sorrow and repentance. Therefore, on the first day of Lent, that time of fasting and repentance and focusing or refocusing on God, ashes are placed on the forehead as a sign of sorrow and repentance. The origin of the ashes also deserves a description. In many churches the ashes are from the burnt remains of palm branches used the previous year in the celebration of Palm Sunday. The earliest reference to a celebration of Ash Wednesday dates from the writing of Aelfric, an abbot of a monastery in Eynsham near Oxford, England.

He died around 1020, so sometime around the year 1000 he wrote ï¿½We read in the books both on the Old Law and in the New [Old and New Testaments] that the men who repented of their sins placed on themselves ashes and clothed their bodies with sackcloth. Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we put ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast.ï¿½ By many accounts (meaning that I have not been able to find the document myself), at the Council or Synod of Benevento held in 1091, Pope Urban II suggested that all churches adopt this practice. Put together, these two references show that well before the year 1000 that Christians were practicing the application of ashes on the first day of Lent. I can state that because I have noticed that by the time a belief or practice has bubbled to the top where someone is writing about it or it is proclaimed at a Council, that it has been practiced by the common people for a long time, even hundreds of years.

With Ash Wednesday signifying the beginning of a time of fasting, a celebration of feasting in preparation for the fasting also developed. This is most widely known as Mardi Gras. The term comes from the French and means ï¿½Fat Tuesday,ï¿½ since it is the day before Ash Wednesday. It is the last chance Lent-practicing Christians have of enjoying what they will give up for forty days. ï¿½2009 Mark Nickens Questions/comments contact Mark at drnickens@triad.rr.com . To go to Summaries, click here . History of Lent History of Lent FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS What are the origins of Lent? Did the Church always have this time before Easter? Lent is a special time of prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation of the celebration of Easter. In the desire to renew the liturgical practices of the Church, The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican Council II stated, "The two elements which are especially characteristic of Lent -- the recalling of baptism or the preparation for it, and penance -- should be given greater emphasis in the liturgy and in liturgical catechesis.

It is by means of them that the Church prepares the faithful for the celebration of Easter, while they hear God's word more frequently and devote more time to prayer" (no. 109). The word Lent itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words lencten, meaning "Spring," and lenctentid, which literally means not only "Springtide" but also was the word for "March," the month in which the majority of Lent falls. Since the earliest times of the Church, there is evidence of some kind of Lenten preparation for Easter. For instance, St. Irenaeus (d. 203) wrote to Pope St. Victor I, commenting on the celebration of Easter and the differences between practices in the East and the West: "The dispute is not only about the day, but also about the actual character of the fast. Some think that they ought to fast for one day, some for two, others for still more; some make their 'day' last 40 hours on end.

Such variation in the observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers" (Eusebius, History of the Church, V, 24). When Rufinus translated this passage from Greek into Latin, the punctuation made between "40" and "hours" made the meaning to appear to be "40 days, twenty-four hours a day." The importance of the passage, nevertheless, remains that since the time of "our forefathers" -- always an expression for the apostles -- a 40-day period of Lenten preparation existed. However, the actual practices and duration of Lent were still not homogenous throughout the Church. Lent becomes more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. The Council of Nicea (325), in its disciplinary canons, noted that two provincial synods should be held each year, "one before the 40 days of Lent." St. Athanasius (d. 373) in this "Festal Letters" implored his congregation to make a 40-day fast prior to the more intense fasting of Holy Week. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (d.

386) in his Catechectical Lectures, which are the paradigm for our current RCIA programs, had 18 pre-baptismal instructions given to the catechumens during Lent. St. Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444) in his series of "Festal Letters" also noted the practices and duration of Lent, emphasizing the 40-day period of fasting. Finally, Pope St. Leo (d. 461) preached that the faithful must "fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the 40 days," again noting the apostolic origins of Lent. One can safely conclude that by the end of the fourth century, the 40-day period of Easter preparation known as Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises. Of course, the number "40" has always had special spiritual significance regarding preparation. On Mount Sinai, preparing to receive the Ten Commandments, "Moses stayed there with the Lord for 40 days and 40 nights, without eating any food or drinking any water" (Ex 34:28).

Elijah walked "40 days and 40 nights" to the mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb (another name for Sinai) (I Kgs 19:8). Most importantly, Jesus fasted and prayed for "40 days and 40 nights" in the desert before He began His public ministry (Mt 4:2). Once the 40 days of Lent were established, the next development concerned how much fasting was to be done. In Jerusalem, for instance, people fasted for 40 days, Monday through Friday, but not on Saturday or Sunday, thereby making Lent last for eight weeks. In Rome and in the West, people fasted for six weeks, Monday through Saturday, thereby making Lent last for six weeks. Eventually, the practice prevailed of fasting for six days a week over the course of six weeks, and Ash Wednesday was instituted to bring the number of fast days before Easter to 40. The rules of fasting varied. First, some areas of the Church abstained from all forms of meat and animal products, while others made exceptions for food like fish. For example, Pope St. Gregory (d. 604), writing to St.

Augustine of Canterbury, issued the following rule: "We abstain from flesh, meat, and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese and eggs." Nevertheless, I was always taught, "If you gave something up for the Lord, tough it out. Don't act like a Pharisee looking for a loophole." Second, the general rule was for a person to have one meal a day, in the evening or at 3 p.m. These Lenten fasting rules also evolved. Eventually, a smaller repast was allowed during the day to keep up one's strength from manual labor. Eating fish was allowed, and later eating meat was also allowed through the week except on Ash Wednesday and Friday. Dispensations were given for eating dairy products if a pious work was performed, and eventually this rule was relaxed totally. (However, the abstinence from even dairy products led to the practice of blessing Easter eggs and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.) Over the years, modifications have been made to the Lenten observances, making our practices not only simple but also easy. Ash Wednesday still marks the beginning of Lent, which lasts for 40 days, not including Sundays.

The present fasting and abstinence laws are very simple: On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, the faithful fast (having only one full meal a day and smaller snacks to keep up one's strength) and abstain from meat; on the other Fridays of Lent, the faithful abstain from meat. People are still encouraged "to give up something" for Lent as a sacrifice. (An interesting note is that technically on Sundays and solemnities like St. Joseph's Day (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25), one is exempt and can partake of whatever has been offered up for Lent. Nevertheless, I was always taught, "If you gave something up for the Lord, tough it out. Don't act like a Pharisee looking for a loophole." Moreover, an emphasis must be placed on performing spiritual works, like attending the Stations of the Cross, attending Mass, making a weekly holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament, taking time for personal prayer and spiritual reading and most especially making a good confession and receiving sacramental absolution. Although the practices may have evolved over the centuries, the focus remains the same: to repent of sin, to renew our faith and to prepare to celebrate joyfully the mysteries of our salvation.

Acknowledgement Saunders, Rev. William. "History of Lent." Arlington Catholic Herald. This article is reprinted with permission from Arlington Catholic Herald. The Author Father William Saunders is pastor of Our Lady of Hope parish in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He is dean of the Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College. The above article is a "Straight Answers" column he wrote for the Arlington Catholic Herald. Father Saunders is the author of Straight Answers , a book based on 100 of his columns, and Straight Answers II . Ash Wednesday 2015: History, Dates, Traditions Of Lent's First Day Of Fasting | The Huffington Post Ash Wednesday 2015: History, Dates, Traditions Of Lent's First Day Of Fasting 02/17/2015 10:04 am ET | Updated Feb 17, 2015 680 HuffPost Religion Editors The Huffington Post Ash Wednesday is observed on February 18, 2015. The Christian holy day marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting that is considered preparation for Holy Week and the celebration of Easter.

Although there is no Biblical reference to Ash Wednesday or Lent, scholars of Christianity date the tradition of a 40-day fasting period back to 325 A.D . Lent mirrors Jesus’ own 40-day period of fasting, described in the book of Matthew . Observers have ash placed on their foreheads in the shape of the cross as the words from Genesis 3:19 are spoken: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Fasting requirements for Catholics are outlined by the Code of Canon Law, and include eating no meat on the Fridays during Lent, as well as fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. (Fasting in this case refers to eating just one full meal a day .) Many Christians will make personal vows of abstinence during Lent, which could include anything from refraining from eating candy, meat, vowing not to gossip, or being less selfish. Others will make a vow to do more for others including volunteering and working for social justice. All are expected to spend more time in prayer and reflection as Lent is considered by many to be an opportunity for spiritual transformation.

The Catholic nun Sister Joan Chittister writes: Lent is the opportunity to change what we ought to change but have not...Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now... Lent is a summons to live anew...Lent is the time to let life in again, to rebuild the worlds we've allowed to go sterile, to "fast and weep and mourn" for the goods we've foregone. If our own lives are not to die from lack of nourishment, we must sacrifice the pride or the sloth or the listlessness that blocks us from beginning again. Then, as Joel (2:12-18) promises, God will have pity on us and pour into our hearts the life we know down deep that we are lacking. Related on HuffPost: Carnival/Ash Wednesday in United Kingdom Home Calendar Holidays United Kingdom Carnival/Ash Wednesday Carnival/Ash Wednesday in United Kingdom Many Christian churches in the United Kingdom observe Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent. It is the day after Shrove Tuesday . Some churches in the United Kingdom hold special services for Ash Wednesday. Some churches in the United Kingdom hold special services for Ash Wednesday.

©iStockphoto.com/Sean Locke What Do People Do? Ash Wednesday in the United Kingdom is a day of penitence to cleanse the soul before fasting during the Lent period. Some Christians may attend special church services to receive the ash in the sign of the cross on their foreheads as a symbol of being sorry and repentant for their wrongdoings. Priests in many churches use the ashes from palms that were burned from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. The ashes are mixed with blessed holy water and priests use this special paste by dipping their thumbs in it and using it to make the sign of the cross on individuals’ foreheads. Priests in some churches also mix the ash with anointing oil to remind the congregation of God’s blessings and of baptism. Some Christians leave the mark of the cross on their foreheads after they leave the church service. This is so that they can carry the sign of the cross into the world. Others may choose to wash the ashes as a sign that they are now spiritually clean and their sins have been wiped away. Public Life Ash Wednesday is not a public holiday in the United Kingdom. Many churches may have special Ash Wednesday services so street parking near the churches may be full around during this time.

Background and Symbols The Ash Wednesday date varies each year depending on the Easter date. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. The Lenten fast lasts for 40 days prior to the Easter period, excluding Sundays. A general article about Ash Wednesday worldwide covers more information about its background and symbols. About Carnival/Ash Wednesday in other countries Read more about Carnival/Ash Wednesday . Carnival/Ash Wednesday Observances Ash Wednesday and Lent Ash Wednesday and Lent Ash Wednesday and Lent ï¿½ What is it? Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a season of fasting that ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. The date of Ash Wednesday depends on the date of Easter ( How is the date for Easter determined? ). The day is traditionally observed by Roman Catholics, Orthodox Churches, Episcopalians, Anglicans, and a few Protestant denominations, although each church and individual observes different traditions. For this article, we will be focusing on the Roman Catholic traditions. The day is named after the practice of placing ashes on the forehead. The ashes used in this ritual are typically the burned palm branches of the previous yearï¿½s Palm Sunday. The ashes are prepared and blessed in accordance with liturgical tradition.

Then a priest or clergy marks congregantï¿½s foreheads with ashes, often in the shape of a cross. The priest or clergy then says, ï¿½Remember that thou art dust, and to dust you shalt returnï¿½ or ï¿½Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.ï¿½ Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the 40-day observance of Lent, ï¿½a season of self-examination, fasting and penance in preparation for our Easter Day observance.ï¿½1 Ash Wednesday and Lent ï¿½ Biblical Support The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday and Lent. The traditional purpose of lent is penitential preparation, which means ï¿½feeling regret for oneï¿½s sins; repentant.ï¿½ During the weeks between Ash Wednesday and Lent, observers of Lent give up a luxury as form of penance. The Gospels tell us that Jesus spent 40 days of fasting in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13).

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by Satan in order to show us that temptation doesnï¿½t need to end in failure. Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19) also fasted for 40-day periods. Ashes were used in biblical times as symbols of repentance and mourning (Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21). Ash Wednesday and Lent ï¿½ What Protestants can learn. Although many Protestants do not observe Ash Wednesday or Lent, we can learn from the concepts of them and implement the some points into our lives. Here are some suggestions: Prepare your heart and mind to celebrate the death and resurrection of your Savior. In the weeks leading up to Easter, take extra time to remember what Jesus did for you. Set aside time to become closer in your relationship with Him. Donï¿½t do it as an obligation; do it out of your love for your Savior. Be aware of sin and repent of it. Sin is not to be taken lightly or brushed off.

Take time for self-reflection and listen as the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin in your life. Ephesians 1:7 says, ï¿½In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Godï¿½s grace.ï¿½ Practice biblical fasting and prayer. The Bible does not command us to fast, but it does present fasting as a good and profitable practice. There is a biblical connection between fasting and prayerï¿½the purpose of fasting is to take your eyes off the things of this world and focus completely on God. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective. In the Bible, fasting was almost always a fast from food, although anything can be given up temporarily in order to give more focus to God. We encourage you to take time to fast from food for a set time (for example, for one meal each week or for 24-hours each week). Instead of eating, spend that time studying Godï¿½s Word, praying, and worshiping. Fasting changes us. It is not a punishment or a form of penance. It is about our focus on God. Have a biblical understanding of Godï¿½s grace.

For Roman Catholics, Ash Wednesday is focused on penance, the act of devotion that is designed to show they are sorry for and repent of their sin. Penance is a sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church and is often referred to a ï¿½doing penanceï¿½ to atone for sin. The person first confesses his or her sin to a priest and then receives instructions on what to do in order to atone for the sin. For example, penance may be to pray certain prayers, fast, or spend time at the altar. The act of penance is very difficult to prove in Scripture. Nowhere does the Bible teach that performing certain works or punishing oneself for sin will make restitution for sin. However, the Bible does teach repentance. We are called to have a change of mind and a change in attitude toward God. It is not our works that make us right with God, but instead it is blood of Jesus Christ that makes atonement for our sin.

Hebrews 9:14 says, ï¿½How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!ï¿½ 1 John 1:7 says, ï¿½But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.ï¿½ Since we are saved by the blood of Jesus, there is no need for guilt, shame, or penance. God does want our repentance! The Bible is very clear that true repentance will result in a change of actions (Luke 3:8-14; Acts 3:19). Acts 26:20 declares, ï¿½I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.ï¿½ The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.

During this Lent season, focus on Godï¿½s grace and how you are saved through the blood of Jesus. Our prayer is that you will enter this Easter season with a renewed relationship with Jesus. Whether you observe Lent or not, remember that God is interested in your heart and He desires your complete and faithful devotion. May you wake up Easter morning with a renewed hunger for His truth and an awareness of the Holy Spiritï¿½s work in your life. Learn More! WHAT DO YOU THINK? - We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God , the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus , the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried , and rose from the dead according to the Bible . If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior , declaring, " Jesus is Lord ," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven. What is your response? Easter Foods Shrove Tuesday / Pancake Day Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday .

The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word 'Shriven' meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things you've done. Lent always starts on a Wednesday, so people went to confessions on the day before. This became known as Shriven Tuesday and then Shrove Tuesday. The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom of using up all the fattening ingredients in the house before Lent, so that people were ready to fast during Lent. The fattening ingredients that most people had in their houses in those days were eggs and milk. A very simple recipe to use up these ingredients was to combine them with some flour and make pancakes! The custom of making pancakes still continues today, and in many U.K. towns and villages pancake races (where people race with a frying pan while tossing a pancake in it!) and pancake tossing competitions are held on Shrove Tuesday. In other countries Shrove Tuesday is known as 'Mardi Gras'. This means 'Fat Tuesday' in French and also comes from the idea of using up food before Lent. Many countries round the world have Mardi Gras celebrations and carnivals.

Some of the most famous are in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil , New Orleans in the U.S.A., Venice in Italy and Sydney in Australia. Ash Wednesday | 2017 | Holidays Calendar 2022 Wednesday, March 2 Ash Wednesday is an integral part of the Lenten season in many Christian religions including Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant religions. Lent is a religious time period of 40 days before Easter Sunday focusing on prayer, penance, and a renewal of faith. For the leap year of 2012, the number of days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday total 45. If the year is a non-leap year, the number of days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday total 44. There is a difference of approximately 6 days between the 40 days of the Lenten season and the actual count of 44 days (45 in a leap year). The difference lies in the history of the season of Lent. History During the first through third centuries, the Lent season or the season to prepare for Jesus rising from the dead was in controversy. St. Irenaeus (who lived approximately in the second century) wrote a letter to Pope St.

Victor I regarding the Lent fasting controversy among different factions of the Church. He stated "The dispute is not only about the day, but also about the actual character of the fast. Some think that they ought to fast for one day, some for two, others for still more; some make their 'day' last 40 hours on end. Such variation in the observance did not originate in our own day, but very much earlier, in the time of our forefathers" (Eusebius, History of the Church, V, 24).1 The discrepancies tend to cease during the fifth century when St. Leo (Pope from 440 A.D. to 461 A.D.) wrote that those of the Catholic faith should "abstain that they may 'fulfill with their fasts the Apostolic institution of the forty days.'"2 St. Leo suggests that, in years after the death of Jesus, the Apostles fasted for 40 days before each Easter Sunday (the day Jesus rose from the dead). The 40 day fasting period is similar to the 40 day fasting period Jesus spent in the desert before beginning His ministry as is stated in St.

Matthew 4:1-2.3 There are controversies surrounding the exact time period in which the actual forty days of Lent began. It is noted, however, that by the time the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. gathered, there is a mention of the word "tessarakonta" or translated from Greek meaning 'forty'. "For the first time in recorded history, we have mention of this period of preparation for Easter as lasting forty days."4 The Council of Nicaea also discussed how to derive at the total of 40 days. At that time, it was noted that Lent began on the sixth Sunday before Easter and ended on Holy Thursday which totaled 40 days. However, with the days of Sunday not included in the count, the total fell to 34 days. People wanted the 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance to emulate the days Jesus spent in the desert. The Church added the days of Good Friday and Holy Saturday back into the season of Lent bringing the total days to 36. During the next centuries, the Church decided to include the four days before the first Sunday of Lent bringing the total of days to 40.

Ashes used on Ash Wednesday The use of ashes on Ash Wednesday is derived from Biblical history. In Job 42:4-6, Job answers the Lord by saying: "Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me. With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee. Therefore I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes."5 Also, in the Book of Judith 9:1-2, it states "And when they were gone, Judith went into her oratory: and putting on haircloth, laid ashes on her head...."6 There are many other references regarding the use of ashes during penance found in the Bible such as Judith 4:15; Isaias 58:5; and Jeremias 6:26.7 In the Catholic religion, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are remnants of the palm leaves distributed from the prior year on Palm Sunday. Catholics keep the palm leaves throughout the year and return them to the Church before Ash Wednesday of the next year. The leaves are then turned into ashes for use in the Ash Wednesday services.

During the service, the parishioners proceed to the front of the church and the ashes are placed on each person's forehead in the shape of a cross. The ashes are not to be washed off but are to remain on the forehead throughout the day of Ash Wednesday. Other religions that use ashes on Ash Wednesday include Lutherans and Episcopalians. The use of ashes in the United Methodist services "became part of our official worship resources in 1992 when General Conference adopted The United Methodist Book of Worship."8 Three Pillars The focus, beginning on Ash Wednesday, is to seek penance for sins of the past and to renew the relationship with God through the three pillars of the Lenten season. The three pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Prayer is to allow people to focus or meditate on many aspects of their personal lives and to also pray for others. Fasting is to assist in "developing self-control. It is often an aid to prayer, as the pangs of hunger remind us of our hunger for God."9 Fasting also assists in the changing of behavior.

"The prophet Isaiah insists that fasting without changing our behavior is not pleasing to God."10 When reading Isaiah 58:5-8, it states "Is this such a fast as I have chosen: for a man to afflict his soul for a day? is this it, to wind his head about like a circle, and to spread sackcloth and ashes? wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this rather the fast that I have chosen? loose the bands of wickedness, undo the bundles that oppress, let them that are broken go free, and break asunder every burden. Deal thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the harbourless into thy house: when thou shalt see one naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh. Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall speedily arise, and thy justice shall go before thy face, and the glory of the Lord shall gather thee up."11 Almsgiving is a continuation of prayer and fasting. It is a time to be thankful for all that God has given us. It is also a time to care for others as God cares for us.

Additional Information In the Catholic religion, the parishioners set new goals to achieve during the Lenten season. Some choose to "give up" something special that is cherished such as a special food or an enjoyed activity. Others choose to add something to increase the relationship with God such as adding daily visitations to those who are sick or adding more kind acts and prayers to daily activities. Some parishioners achieve both "giving up" something and "adding" a special activity to their daily lives during Lent. In the Catholic Church, the color used for the season of Lent is Violet (purple). For the day of Palm Sunday, the color used is Red. The color for the season of Easter is white. In the Eastern Orthodox religion, Ash Wednesday is not observed because it is not specifically mentioned in the Holy Bible. Instead, those participating in the Eastern Orthodox Church begin the Lenten season (Great Lent) forty days before Palm Sunday which would be the Monday before Ash Wednesday of the Catholic religion. The actual day of "Ash Wednesday" is not observed in the Eastern Orthodox religion.

Conclusion Around the world, Christians unite on Ash Wednesday by focusing on the rejection of sin, the renewal of faith to Jesus Christ and the renewal of life with God.12 Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Lent season where, in St. Matthew 6:1-34, Jesus talks to all people on how to act when giving alms, when praying and when fasting.# The people are to be humble, to show penance, to do these actions for the love of God, not for individual notoriety. The remembrance during this season is to search in each individual's soul, to turn away from self-centeredness, and to become renewed in the relationship each has with the Lord. The beginning of the Lenten season, Ash Wednesday, is the beginning of a fresh start with the Lord through spiritual and religious meditations. References 1. 2. 3. St. Matthew 4:1-2. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899.

Baronius Press Limited, 2007. 4. 5. Job 42:4-6. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899. Baronius Press Limited, 2007. 6. Judith 9:1. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899. Baronius Press Limited, 2007. 7. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D.

1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899. Baronius Press Limited, 2007. 8. 9. #F1 10. 11. Isaiah 58:5-8. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899. Baronius Press Limited, 2007. 12. 13. St. Matthew 6:1-34. The Holy Bible. Douay-Rheims Version, Revised by the Servant of God, Bishop Richard Challoner, A.D. 1749-1752, published with the imprimatur of His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899. Baronius Press Limited, 2007.

Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church Learn More About the History and Rituals of Ash Wednesday A woman prays after receiving ashes on her forehead in observance of Ash Wednesday at Saint Louis Cathedral, February 6, 2008, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) Updated April 19, 2016. The First Day of Lent In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent , the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday . (In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday .) Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter. (See How Is the Date of Ash Wednesday Calculated? for more details.) Since Easter falls on a different date each year (see How Is the Date of Easter Calculated? ), Ash Wednesday does, too. To find the date of Ash Wednesday in this and future years, see When Is Ash Wednesday? . While Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation , all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.

Quick Facts Date: 46 days before Easter Sunday; see When Is Ash Wednesday? for the date this year. Prayers: Prayer of Saint Ephrem the Syrian The Distribution of Ashes During Mass, the ashes which give Ash Wednesday its name are distributed. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday ; many churches ask their parishioners to return any palms that they took home so that they can be burned. After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them. The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person's forehead, says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" (or a variation on those words). A Day of Repentance The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance.

The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility. ( See Should Catholics Keep Their Ash Wednesday Ashes on All Day? ) Fasting and Abstinence Are Required The Church emphasizes the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday by calling us to fast and abstain from meat. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Ash Wednesday. (For more details, see What Are the Rules for Fasting and Abstinence in the Catholic Church? and Lenten Recipes .) Taking Stock of Our Spiritual Life This fasting and abstinence is not simply a form of penance, however; it is also a call for us to take stock of our spiritual lives.

As Lent begins, we should set specific spiritual goals we would like to reach before Easter and decide how we will pursue them—for instance, by going to daily Mass when we can and receiving the Sacrament of Confession more often. FAQs on Ash Wednesday

Question: What is the name for the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter?
Answer: Lent