Ash Wednesday happens to be one of the holy days in the catholic liturgical calendar. It marks the beginning of the season of lent. It takes place 46days before Easter Sunday and is mainly observed by catholics but many other Christians observe it too.
The celebration of ash Wednesday comes from the ancient practices of Jewish tradition of penance and fasting. It includes the wearing of ashes on the forehead. The ashes symbolizes the dust from which God made us. When the ashes is applied to a person's forehead by the priest, he speaks the words..."Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
The ashes is administered inform of a cross on the forehead of a person during holy mass and it is a visible symbol of penance, because we all are sinners and sin causes a division from God.
Also, the ashes used are made from the blessed palms used the previous year while celebrating palm Sunday.
Holy water is added and the ashes are scented by exposing it to incense. The ash also is a reminder that God is forgiving and merciful to anyone who call on Him with a repentant heart.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of lent. Its a season of penance, reflection, fasting and prayers. It's so wonderful that this year's ash Wednesday is Valentine's day too... Let's pray, forgive and love💕...