The meaning of lent and ash wednesday

Ash Wednesday is one of the most popular and important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.

Ash Wednesday comes from the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. The practice includes the wearing of ashes on the head. The ashes symbolize the dust from which God made us. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, he speaks the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Alternatively, the priest may speak the words, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

Ashes also symbolize grief, in this case, grief that we have sinned and caused division from God.

Writings from the Second-century Church refer to the wearing of ashes as a sign of penance.

Priests administer ashes during Mass and all are invited to accept the ashes as a visible symbol of penance. Even non-Christians and the excommunicated are welcome to receive the ashes. The ashes are made from blessed palm branches, taken from the previous year’s palm Sunday Mass.

It is important to remember that Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting. Some faithful take the rest of the day off work and remain home. It is generally inappropriate to dine out, to shop, or to go about in public after receiving the ashes. Feasting is highly inappropriate. Small children, the elderly and sick are exempt from this observance.

Recently, movements have developed that involve pastors distributing ashes to passersby in public places. This isn’t considered taboo, but Catholics should know this practice is distinctly Protestant. Catholics should still receive ashes within the context of Mass.

In some cases, ashes may be delivered by a priest or a family member to those who are sick or shut-in.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption.

Why we receive the ashes

“Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.

The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins — just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days’ penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession.

The Ashes

The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance.

On Ash Wednesday, you may encounter Christians, especially Catholics, wearing a smudge of ashes on their foreheads.

That could be a bit startling, unless you know the meaning behind this religious practice.

Here is what you should know about Ash Wednesday and the celebration of Lent.

We have also included information about Lenten services in Marion and Hamilton counties in Indiana as well as special restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday — officially known as the Day of Ashes — is a day of repentance, when Christians confess their sins and profess their devotion to God.

During a Mass, a priest places the ashes on a worshiper's forehead in the shape of a cross. The ceremony, which also can be performed by a minister or pastor, is meant to show that a person belongs to Jesus Christ, and it also represents a person's grief and mourning for their sins — the same sins that Christians believe Jesus Christ gave his life for when he died on the cross.

Ash Wednesday is important because it marks the start of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, when Christians believe Jesus was resurrected.

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The ashes symbolize both death and repentance. During this period, Christians show repentance and mourning for their sins, because they believe Christ died for them.

When the priest applies the cross of ashes, he says to the worshiper: "“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” He also may say “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

It is not required that a worshiper wear the ashes for the rest of the day, although many Christians choose to do so. However, dining out or doing non-essential shopping are considered inappropriate on Ash Wednesday.

Where do the ashes come from?

Traditionally, ashes used on Ash Wednesday are gathered up after palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned. They are then blessed before being used in the ceremony.

Palms are used on Palm Sunday in many Christian churches to symbolize Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the Sunday before his crucifixion. Residents of Jerusalem are said to have waved palm fronds to celebrate his arrival.

Can Catholics eat meat on Ash Wednesday?

No. Catholics are not supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday. They also are expected to give up meat on Fridays during Lent.

Catholics also are expected to fast on Ash Wednesday. Fasting means consuming only one full meal a day; two smaller meals that don't together add up to a full meal also are allowed.

Intermittent fasting:This man fasts from 17 to 24 hours a day. Here's how he says it's changed his life.

Children and the elderly are exempt from the fasting requirement on Ash Wednesday and during Lent.

Some Protestant denominations, including Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, United Methodists and Presbyterians, also hold worship services on Ash Wednesday.

Is Ash Wednesday based on a pagan festival?

No. Early Christians in Rome were sprinkled with ashes during Lent, but the Ash Wednesday practice of placing ashes on the forehead of Christians didn't begin until the Middle Ages.

When is Ash Wednesday in 2022?

Ash Wednesday falls on a different day each year, because it is dependent on the date of Easter. It can occur as early as Feb. 4 or as late as March 10.

Last year, it fell on Feb. 17. This year, Ash Wednesday is on March 2.

Ash Wednesday always occurs six and a half weeks before Easter. Easter will be celebrated this year on Sunday, April 17.

Where to receive ashes in Indy

Here are some churches, where you can partake in Ash Wednesday — as well as any restrictions or special considerations because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In Indianapolis:

•SS Peter & Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., (317) 634-4519. Ash Wednesday masses at noon and 5:15 p.m. Indianapolis Archbishop Charles C. Thompson will be the principal celebrant for the noon Mass. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, ashes will instead be sprinkled on the heads of those attending Mass. 

•Christ Church Cathedral, 125 Monument Circle, (317) 636-4577. Virtual services will be held at 12 and 6 p.m for English speakers and 7 p.m. for Spanish speakers. Because of COVID-19, they will not be holding in-person Ash Wednesday services or Ashes to Go.

•Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, 5692 Central Ave., (317) 257-2266.  A distribution of ashes with communion services will be held at 7 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (Please enter through the front church doors and exit through the Archway church doors to ensure social distancing.) Mass will be at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Due to Covid-19 restrictions and limited capacity, sign up will be required and the masses will be capped at 130 people.  

•Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 1505 N. Delaware St. (317) 238-5487. Ash Wednesday service at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP, so the church can ensure safe numbers during the services.

•St. Luke Catholic Church, 7575 Holliday Drive East, (317) 259-4373. Masses at 8:15 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

•Christ the King Catholic Church, 5884 N. Crittenden Ave., (317) 255-3666 A distribution of ashes and communion will be held at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. A mass and distribution of ashes will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

•St. Matthew Catholic Church, 4100 E. 56th St., (317) 257-4297. Two masses will be held at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. However, attendance is by reservation only to ensure safety and reservations close at noon on Feb. 16. 

•Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Boulevard East Drive, (317) 251-9489. Due to COVID-19, Ash Wednesday worship will be live-streamed this year at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17. People also can receive the imposition of ashes from the comfort of a car, when Ashes-to-Go is held from 4 to 6 p.m. in the parking lot. 

•Nativity Catholic Church, 7225 Southeastern Ave., (317) 357-1200. Ash Wednesday A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 7 a.m. and 12 noon and a Mass will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. A distribution of ashes will be held throughout the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In Hamilton County:

•Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 14598 Oak Ridge Road, Carmel, (317) 846-3475.Services at 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 12 noon, 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. Mass at 8 a.m. (English) and 7 p.m. (Bilingual). A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 12 noon, 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. A distribution of ashes will be available at all of the above times.

•St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 1402 West Main Street, Carmel. An in-person worship service will be held at 12 noon. It will be livestreamed on Facebook, and a recording will be available later in the day on the website. A children's in-person service will be at 6 p.m. in the sanctuary.

•Cornerstone Lutheran Church (LCMS), 4850 E. Main St., Carmel, (317) 814-4252.  Worship services will be held at 12 noon and 7 p.m. (Carmel Sanctuary); 6:45 p.m. (Carmel Worship Center); 7 p.m. (Fishers and Indianapolis).

•Holy Spirit Paris at Geist, 10350 Glaser Way, Fishers, (317) 849-9245. Ash Wednesday services will be held at 6:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 12 noon, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

•Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 9900 E. 191st St, Noblesville, (317) 773-4275. Worship services on Ash Wednesday will be held at 6:30 a.m. (Liturgy of the Word), 8:30 a.m. (Mass), 12:15 p.m. (Liturgy of the Word), 6 p.m. (Mass) and 7:30 p.m. (Mass in Spanish). All Ash Wednesday Masses will be live-streamed at ologn.org/live and on the OLG Facebook page. Ash Wednesday Masses (but not Word Services) require reservations this year.

•Noblesville First United Methodist, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville, (317) 773-2500. Ash Wednesday worship and an anointing of healing at 7 p.m.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a drive-thru Imposition of Ashes will be held under the portico from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and also from 5 to 6 pm. 

•Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 16000 Cumberland Road, Noblesville, (317) 773-4406. This year, there will be a drive-thru communion and imposition of ashes for Ash Wednesday under the portico from 10 to 11 a.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. The communion elements are pre-packaged and worshippers will be handed a Q-tip to impose their own ashes.

What is Lent?

Ash Wednesday is one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar, because it marks the start of Lent.

Lent is a six-week period of fasting or self-sacrifice, prayer and almsgiving observed by Christians each year to prepare for the celebration of Easter, when they believe Christ rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of God, his father.

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Lent is celebrated over 46 days. It includes 40 days of fasting and six Sundays, on which fasting is not practiced. 

The 40-day period has a special significance in the Old and New Testaments. For instance, Moses spent 40 days and nights with God on Mount Sinai in preparation to receive the Ten Commandments. Jesus also is depicted as being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.

Things to give up for Lent

Many people want to know what they should give up for Lent to prove your devotion.

Many people give up things that they love, such as candy or sweets, favorite foods, television or — gasp! — social media.

The reason for their self-sacrifice: Christians want to replicate the hardships felt by Jesus during his time in the wilderness. 

What is the purpose of Lent and Ash Wednesday?

What is the original meaning of Lent?

What do ashes symbolize in Lent?

What is the story behind the Ash Wednesday?