Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. This year, on March 5th, 2025, Catholics all around the world will receive ashes on their foreheads and ponder the words, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Ash Wednesday is not considered a holy day of obligation, but it is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence.

Before the 11th century, Ash Wednesday was a day of public penitence for those who committed serious crimes. It was not until the end of the 11th century that the practice of public penitence began to fade, and the practice of obtaining ashes encouraged for the whole Church. During the 12th century, it became customary to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. The ashes are made from the palm branches used in the previous year’s Palm Sunday, and they symbolize mourning and repentance. As the season of Lent begins, Ash Wednesday reminds us to open our hearts to Christ and his lasting mercy.