Ash Wednesday: beginning of Lent

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent and occurs forty-six days (forty days not counting Sundays) before Easter. It falls on a different date each year, because it is dependent on the date of Easter; it can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10.

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday (domingo de ramos) are burned. In the liturgical practice of some churches, the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the catecúmenos.

This paste is used by the priest who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his own forehead and then on each of those present who kneel before him at the altar rail. As he does so, he recites the words: "Remember (O man) that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Thank's God I've always attended mass on Ash Wednesday, every single year since I was born because my grand-parents used to be full Catholics. Tomorrow I hope to attend mass at first time in the morning before going to work.