Have you ever seen people walking around with crosses painted on their forehead? This happens at least once in a year for Christians.
Receiving ashes on one’s forehead is a tradition in time for the beginning of the Lenten season–the annual Ash Wednesday.
Every year, this day symbolizes the first day of the liturgical season of Lent. This falls six and a half weeks before Easter in preparation of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday.
This 2025, Ash Wednesday falls on March 5! Before that day comes, here are important things you need to know before starting with your Lenten journey.
Origin and Biblical Significance
Did you know that Ash Wednesday dates back 11 centuries ago? While its history is not clear, the tradition has been practiced way earlier with the ancient Hebrew custom of wearing sackcloth and putting on ashes to repent.
The ashes are an important part of the Lenten journey, especially since it symbolizes death and repentance.
Ashes are said to equate to dust, while human flesh is composed of dust as mentioned in the Book of Genesis from the Holy Bible. Thus, this symbolism is akin to the return of human beings to dust after death.
Ultimately, the tradition focuses on human mortality and sinfulness–an opportunity for Christians to enter the Lenten season with repentance in practice.
Modern Lenten Traditions
The tradition of receiving ashes persisted until today with modern Churches preparing ashes out of palm branches.
These come from the previous Palm Sunday when priests bless the palms brought by the churchgoers.
The palms are a significant reference to Jesus’ entry to Jerusalem: onlookers filling His pathway with palm branches.
Aside from the cross on one’s forehead, Christians also practice fasting and abstinence. What do these practices entail, you may ask?
These are the specific details of the acts of penance:
FASTING PRACTICES
- For Roman Catholics, fasting is only advised for those ages 18 to 59.
- Fasting with only one full meal and two smaller meals.
- Snacking while fasting is allowed, but only if it is not a full meal.
- Exemptions are made for those with special needs and restrictions.
ABSTINENCE PRACTICES
- Young Catholics ages 14 and older must abstain from eating meat.
- Abstinence is done on Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent until Good Friday.
- Food to be abstained include meat, wine, oil, and dairy products.
- Food allowed includes fish and other non-meat alternatives available.
- Other forms of abstinence include giving up other food, distractions, and addictions.
The practices outlined above may help with physical health, but beyond that, fasting and abstinence is about creating space and relying on God instead of earthly comforts.
At the end of this journey, the acts of penance strengthen faith and discipline. This leads to a deepened relationship with God and heightened awareness of His presence.
Lenten Season Practices
In a predominantly Catholic country, most Filipinos and Cebuanos practice Lent. How about other Christian denominations and religions?
Well, here’s the thing! Aside from Catholics, other denominations like the Orthodox, Anglican Church, and Episcopal Church also observe Lent.
Even though Lent is not named nor observed in the Holy Bible, this journey is practiced by Christians who believe in repentance and humility.
This is primarily why Lenten practices persist–the Scripture calls for a life of worship and self-discipline that is most exemplified during the Lenten season.
By the end of the Lenten season, believers are said to experience spiritual renewal.
This is not only a beginning of change but an ongoing mission to transform the Good News into good deeds towards one another.
The Church leaves with a message for Christians to ponder upon: “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”
