I forget… what is the meaning of ash wednesday?
Ash Wednesday evolved in the Western Church as a way of marking the beginning of Lent (the Eastern Rite is markedly different). It is a strong tradition in the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican churches. The act of making with ashes is inspired by the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one’s head to show repentance before God. The marking with ash, a common substance considered unclean, serves to show that during Lent we should give up comfort and vain adornment in favor of simple living and humility. Furthermore, as the ashes are made by burning the once-verdant leaves of Palm Sunday, the day reminds worshipers that they do are mortal. The most common lines that the priest intones in placing the mark is “Remember, man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” No one is too young for Ash Wednesday. While the Western Church does, of course, withhold the Eucharist from children, the marking of ashes is open to the whole church community.
