550 B.C.) wrote, “I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9:3). Prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem, Daniel (c. Job (whose story was written between the 7th and 5th centuries B.C.) repented in sackcloth and ashes (Job 42:6). For instance, in the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus (or Xerxes, 485-464 B.C.) of Persia to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire (Esther 4:1). Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality, and penance. It is essential to focus our thoughts and our feelings on God.The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. We are to avoid distractions that might interrupt our prayer.
We can only convert by looking honestly at ourselves. It is very important that during Ash Wednesday we pray wholeheartedly, analyzing our mistakes and sins. On this journey towards Christ, prayer allows us to renew ourselves from within, to convert, to draw closer to God. This allows us to get closer to his teachings and away from sins. Through prayer we establish communication with God. One of the ways we can use to approach the presence of Our Lord is prayer. On Ash Wednesday, during the forty days of Lent, we have to find the way to get closer to God. Through fasting we sacrifice satisfactions of our day to day to please God. According to the general rules, all those over 18 and under 60 must fast.įasting is a way of asking God for forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. The Church does not require the imposition of Ash but does require fasting on Ash Wednesday. Fasting on Ash Wednesdayįasting for Christians means eating only one large meal throughout the day. To get away from the old, from the dark, and start anew directing our steps towards the light, towards Jesus. The preparation of our mind, our body and our soul to renew itself. On Ash Wednesday, and throughout Lent, the main message is Conversion, drawing closer to Christ.
The meaning of the ash is very clear, it reminds us that everything material has its end, only that which comes from God is eternal. The imposition of ashes is a very ancient gesture through which we humbly acknowledge that God is the beginning and end of everything.
The symbol that characterizes Ash Wednesday is the imposition of Ash on those attending the Liturgy. With Ash Wednesday begins the liturgical season in which we prepare for Holy Week, for the celebration of the Easter Triduum, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is estimated that each bag can be used for the taxation of 500 people.Īsh Wednesday is the first day of Lent.Long lasting ash, can be used for several consecutive Ash Wednesdays.Made with the burning of branches, palms and palm trees.Special ashes for imposition and blessing.
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