F.A.Q.

Why do we get ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday?

To ancient Jews, wearing sackcloth and covering themselves or sitting in ashes showed repentance and humility, and acted as a penance. Thus, the early Church adopted the practice of wearing ashes at the start of Lent to show repentance too.

But as he places the ashes on our forefeads, the priest says, "Remember you are dust and unto dust you will return," to remind us that our time on earth will pass away but our life in Heaven will last forever.


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