Helping Children Understand And Celebrate Lent
Many of us have heard this question when we arrive at school, work, or home with the blackened cross on our forehead. The observance of Ash Wednesday is the most popular weekday celebration in the Catholic Churchâs liturgical year. During the celebration, children and adults process to the altar to receive ashes on their forehead in the shape of a cross. Ash Wednesday is also a day when people discover how many Catholics there are in their community. This can nurture in children a greater sense of religious community. And because receiving the ashes is a sign of humility and contrition, children will also see how many people recognize the need for repentance.
The Ash Wednesday Ritual
Ash Wednesday is always the first Wednesday of the Lenten season and marks the beginning of Lent. The distribution of blessed ashes is typically done before the altar and, depending on the custom of the parish, people will hear the distributor say, âTurn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospelâ or âRemember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return.â The atmosphere in the Church is quiet and the observance solemn. People reflect on how quickly human life can pass. All are reminded of the need for repentance.
Ash Wednesday Readings
Children and Preparing for Lent
Verses To Reflect On For Ash Wednesday
If youd like to start thinking through and observing Lent and Ash Wednesday, here are a few verses specific to Ash Wednesday to meditate and reflect on, and then a prayer you can pray to observe the day.
- Our Creation: Genesis 2:7 – Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
- Our Curse: Genesis 3:19 – By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken for dust you are and to dust you will return.
- Our Cry of Repentance: Psalm 51:7- 10 – Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Read moreAsh Wednesday Scriptures and Bible Verses for Reflection
How Do You Receive The Ashes At A Catholic Funeral
After the ashes have been bestowed with blessings by the priest and purified with holy water, those who are devout approach the altar to receive them.The priest makes the sign of the cross on each persons forehead and says, Remember, man, that thou are dust, and to dust thou shalt return, before dipping his right thumb into the ashes and saying the phrase .
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When Is Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the day following Pancake Shrove Tuesday, and will be celebrated on 2 March in 2022.
Christians observe Ash Wednesday as the first of 40 days of Lent – when they will participate in fasting, prayer and reflection.
This is to symbolise the 40 day period of fasting and prayer Jesus served in the desert before his execution by Pontius Pilate.
Lent lasts just over six weeks, but is counted as 40 days as Sundays are not included, and it always spans the 46 days before Easter.
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.
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.
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National No Smoking Day
In the Republic of Ireland, Ash Wednesday is National No Smoking Day. The date was chosen because quitting smoking ties in with giving up a luxury for Lent, and because of the link between ash and smoking. In the United Kingdom, No Smoking Day was held for the first time on Ash Wednesday in 1984 but is now fixed as the second Wednesday in March.
The History Of Lent And Ash Wednesday
The history and beginnings of Lent arent clear. According to Britannica.com, Lent has likely been observed: since apostolic times, though the practice was not formalized until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. Christian scholars note that Lent became more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. St. Irenaeus, Pope St. Victor I, and St. Athanasius all seem to have written about Lent during their ministries. Most agree that by the end of the fourth century, the 40-day period of Easter preparation known as Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises.
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It Is A Day Of Fasting And Abstinence
According to the USCCB, the following rules are in force for those between the ages of 18 and 59.
Fasting on these days means we can have only one full, meatless meal. Some food can be taken at the other regular meal times if necessary, but combined they should be less than a full meal. Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals.
Learn More About The History And Rituals Of Ash Wednesday
- M.A., Political Theory, Catholic University of America
- B.A., Political Theory, Michigan State University
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday.
Ash Wednesday always falls 46 days before Easter. Since Easter falls on a different date each year, Ash Wednesday does, too.
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Fasting And Abstinence Are Required
The Church emphasizes the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday by calling us to fast and abstain from meat. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Ash Wednesday.
Why Do We Have Ash Wednesday And Where Do The Ashes Come From
Lent officially begins today as Christians begin the first 40 days of fasting, prayer and charitable acts in the lead up to Easter.
Churches generally hold Ash Wednesday mass and rub ashes on the foreheads of those in attendance, a Christian symbol of death, repentance of sins and purification.
But why is Ash Wednesday celebrated and what is the significance of the ashes? This is what you need to know.
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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.
A previous version of this story originally published in 2019.
Where Do Ash Wednesday Ashes Come From
Washington D.C., Feb 27, 2022 / 03:03 am
Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return.
Or, Repent and believe in the Gospel.
On Ash Wednesday, millions of Catholics throughout the English-speaking world will hear one of these two blessings as a priest applies ashes to their forehead in the sign of the cross.
But where exactly do the black or grey powdery ashes come from?
Per the instructions of the Roman Missal, ashes are typically supposed to be made from last years Palm Sunday palm branches.
These branches are then burned down into a fine powder and, in the United States, are mixed with holy water or chrism oil to create a light paste. In other parts of the world, sometimes dry ashes are sprinkled on the head rather than made into a paste.
Fr. Dan Folwaczny is a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago and serves as pastor at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament parish.
He told CNA that the parish burns their own palms from previous Palm Sundays.
We have an order of palms that comes in, and some of them are handed out on Palm Sunday but some are leftover, and those we usually store away in the garage until the following year, he told CNA.
And then also we have some that people bring back, so people have had them in their houses in the lead-up to Lent, and well tell people to bring them in to the church, he said.
Then on the day before Ash Wednesday, all of the old palms are placed in a fire pit on the church steps.
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What Are The Catholic Rules For Ash Wednesday
An overview of the standard procedure: Everyone older than 14 years old is required to refrain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and each and every other Friday during the season of Lent. Everyone between the ages of 18 and 59 is required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, with the exception of those who are exempt for generally medical reasons.
Why Do Catholic Dont Eat Meat On Ash Wednesday
Why should I stop eating meat? The flesh is represented by the meat. On the Friday before Easter, Jesus offered the sacrifice of his own flesh. Therefore, in remembrance of the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross, one should abstain from eating meat.
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The Ashes Have Deep Spiritual Meaning
St. John Paul II perfectly summarizes the depth of meaning behind the ashes.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, take not your holy Spirit from me.” We hear this plea echoing in our hearts, while in a few moments we will approach the Lords altar to receive ashes on our forehead in accordance with a very ancient tradition. This act is filled with spiritual allusions and is an important sign of conversion and inner renewal. Considered in itself, it is a simple liturgical rite, but very profound because of its penitential meaning: with it the Church reminds man, believer and sinner, of his weakness in the face of evil and especially of his total dependence on Gods infinite majesty.
What Do You Say After You Get Ashes
A human corpse that has been left to deteriorate will eventually become dust or ash.Ashes are traditionally rubbed into someones forehead as a representation of this.When the priest places them in the shape of a cross on someones forehead, he will either say, Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel, or Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return, depending on which of the two phrases they choose to recite.
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How Do You Dispose Of Palms From Palm Sunday
After Palm Sunday Masses are over, parishioners have two choices: They can either leave the blessed palms in their church pew for the parish staff to collect and save to be burned and have the ashes used in the following years Ash Wednesday Masses, or they can take the blessed palms home with them, said Blue Rolfes,
When Ash Wednesday Occurs
Lent is 40 days long, not including Sundays according to the calendar, that means the season is 46 days long overall. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday ,Western Rite Orthodox Church, and United Protestant Churches) or at the start of the Easter Triduum on the evening of Maundy Thursday in the Catholic Church. Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter, and Easter is determined as the Sunday following the first full moon that happens on or after the March equinox, which is always March 21 in the Christian Church calendars.
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What Does The Mark On The Forehead Mean On Ash Wednesday
The ash cross that is placed on the foreheads of onlookers is intended to be a symbol of their own mortality as well as a kind of atonement for their crimes.It is often administered by a priest at the morning mass, typically in conjunction with a brief blessing that goes something like this: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you must return. A lot of people decide to leave it on all day.
What Does Bible Say About Ash Wednesday
A: Thats true there is no mention of Ash Wednesday in the Bible . But there is a tradition of donning ashes as a sign of penitence that predates Jesus. In the Old Testament, Job repents in dust and ashes, and there are other associations of ashes and repentance in Esther, Samuel, Isaiah and Jeremiah.
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How Do Christians Observe Ash Wednesday
Catholics and protestants attend mass on Ash Wednesday, where they will congregate to listen to a story from the bible and join together in prayer.There will also be a long period of silence during the mass as attendees are asked to reflect on their own sins and ask God for forgiveness.
The ashes are then given as a sign of repentance and purification, representing how the human body turns to dust after death.
Adults will fast before they receive their ashes, and when the priest rubs the ashes on their foreheads they will respond Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or the dictum “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Christians are encouraged to make a commitment to prayer, charity and fasting or self-denial. Many Catholics make Lenten promises or resolutions to mark the importance of this holy season.
From the time of receiving ashes, practising Christians will fast for 40 days from rich foods – such as meat and dairy, while new traditions also include sweet foods which are considered indulgent.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians in places such as India will fast until sunset, while Roman Catholics will observe the day by eating two small snacks and one large evening meal – the two snacks should not amount to the same as the meal.
Catholics should also abstain from eating meat for the entire day, while some choose to go beyond the minimum recommendations from the Catholic church and eat only bread and water 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.
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What Are Good Things To Give Up For Lent
Ashes Have A Long Tradition In The Catholic Church Finding Its Roots In The Old Testament
Ash Wednesday in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church is focused, not surprisingly, on the imposition of ashes on all the faithful who attend Mass or a prayer service. This ceremony is relatively brief, but has rich symbolism that is sometimes forgotten.
First of all, the ashes used are typically created at the parish church through the burning of palm branches. These palm branches were blessed on Palm Sunday the year before, which connects the beginning of Lent to the end of Lent, when we remember the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The penitential season begins with the crucifixion and ends with the crucifixion.
Secondly, the prayer used by the priest to impose ashes on the forehead of an individual is meant to remind us of our mortality and the consequences of Adam and Eves original sin. The prayer, Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return, is a direct quotation from the book of Genesis when God is delivering his judgment to Adam and Eve after they eat from the Tree of Good and Evil.
you shall eat bread,Until you return to the ground,from which you were taken For you are dust,and to dust you shall return.
Adam and Eve are then exiled from the Garden of Eden and are not allowed to return, sentenced to a mortal life.
Most famously when the prophet Jonah preached in the city of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes .
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