Most people wonder why every year Catholics go to church and get a cross drawn on their forehead. But it is more than just an ash being spread on people’s forehead.

Ash Wednesday is a Catholic tradition that occurs once a year six and a half weeks before Easter. It begins the Lenten season which preps for Christ’s Resurrection which is on Easter. The reason that every year people go to get their ashes is because it signifies the mortality of our human bodies. Another important thing about Ash Wednesday is that Catholics fast on this day. The reason Catholics fast is because it is a sign of repentance and helps people to embody the spiritual hunger for Christ.

When you go up to the priest he will take some of the ash on his thumb and he will spread in on your forehead making a cross. For anyone wondering how long you’re supposed to keep the ashes on your forehead, you leave it on for the day and the next morning it is okay to wash it off. But another thing you have to follow is not eating meat on this day. The reason for this is because when Christ was in the desert he didn’t eat meat for forty days.

Once Ash Wednesday occurs, Catholics are no longer allowed to eat meat every Friday until Easter Sunday. And it is also a big Catholic tradition to give up something for forty days. This can vary to a type of food, soda, candy, a habit, anything that is a sacrifice to you, you can give up.

You do not have to be a Catholic to participate in Ash Wednesday and Lent. Anyone can participate and celebrate this Holy Day.