When is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday is the first of 40 days reflection and penitence leading up to Easter.
Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, so Sundays are always days of celebration. and are not counted as part of the 40 days - so Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter.
What happens on Ash Wednesday?
It is traditional to burn the palm crosses that were used in the services on the previous Palm Sunday, and mix the ash with a small amount of olive oil to make a paste. During the service, the minister uses the paste to mark each person’s forehead with a cross as a sign of repentance (sorrow for sin).