If you were out and about on Wednesday, February 22nd, you may have noticed people marked with an ash cross on their foreheads. This is just part of the traditions surrounding Ash Wednesday.

Usually called the day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday starts lent by focusing the Christian’s heart on repentance and prayer, often through personal and communal confession. This happens during a unique Ash Wednesday service. Every year, Ash Wednesday marks the start of lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40 day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration.

The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection. On Ash Wednesday, During mass or worship service, the priest or pastor will often share a penitential and reflective sermon. Many services will have long periods of silence and worshipers will often leave the service in silence.