How was your Ash Wednesday 2020? Well, this
year, Ash Wednesday will take place on the 17th of February. The day
holds immense meaning in the hearts of Christians, as it’s the day for
repentance for them in case you didn’t know when is Ash Wednesday.
Why is Ash Wednesday celebrated? and What is the history of Ash Wednesday?
Christians
place repentance ashes and spread it all over their forehead on this special
day. Thus, Shrove Tuesday – the day before Ash Wednesday – came on 16th
of February. It is also known as Pancake Day in many Christian countries. The
day basically celebrates confessions and absolution and everyone performs a
ritual in which they burn the Holy Week palms of the previous year and then
finalize on one Lenten sacrifice.
Christians
across the globe enjoy pancakes and sweets a day before the fasting formally
begins for Lent. This day is often called “Carnival Day”. Traditionally, all
Western Christian countries observe Ash Wednesday and mark the first day of
Lent.
Related: Find out everything about Ash Wednesday meaning and if it is a holy day of obligation?
Ash
Wednesday is always observed six weeks and a half prior to Easter. In 2021,
Good Friday and Easter Sunday will be celebrated on 2nd and 4th
April respectively.
Lent
is essentially considered to be a period of reflection. This is when all
Christian brothers and sister prepare themselves for the great Easter.
Coming
back to Ash Wednesday, this is the day of repentance when everyone wipes their
soul clean before the Lent fast starts. During the Lent, Christian churches pray
and remorse their wrongdoings while seeking forgiveness from God.
See: MARDI GRAS 2021: HOW NEW ORLEANS AND OTHER COUNTRIES CELEBRATED THE FESTIVAL AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
A
lot of people observe Lent by giving up a particular vice, like smoking or
gossiping. Another tradition observed on Ash Wednesday is that Christians
attend church services and, after the ceremony, they spread ash in a cross-like
sign on their foreheads or cross on forehead bible.
While
doing so, they utter the words “Repent
and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember
that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
However,
there are some churches that end their services by washing off the ash signs to
suggest that the attendees have been wiped clean of their sins. Many people
avoid all luxurious food items and only survive on bread and water until
sunset. The period of six and a half weeks is spent in remorse and reflection
as the Christians observe fasting.
When
Easter arrives, Christians celebrate with a grand feast – a reward of
reflection and lent. On Easter, people celebrate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
and his resurrection after his death on the cross.
In
Ireland, a priest has made “takeaway ashes” for parishioners to administer the
ritual at home. Ash Wednesday, as you know, will be observed differently this
year due to the pandemic and the fact that not everyone has received vaccines
yet. Thus, prayers and religious practices can be carried out without
interruption at home. This is Lent 2021 for all of us!
See: K2 – THREE HOWLING STORIES THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOREVER!
Father
Brian Brady has formed an association with a shop in Clonmany, County Donegal,
so as to offer holy ashes in sauce containers. Since the Covid-19 restrictions
have confined us to our homes— due to which church services are being conducted
online— this idea seems like an instant hit!
Father
Brian Brady was overwhelmed by the response, and he revealed that all the 600
containers that he had made have been taken away.
“It’s a new experience formed to have
people wanting to talk to me. There’s been a lot of attention and people want
more ashes but can’t get them.”
– He said while speaking to BBC radio.
He
further added: “A lot of our
parishioners would come every year for their ashes and it’s so important that
we honor those traditions – even at these most difficult times.”
He’s
glad to have received such an incredible response and feels happy that he
actually took the initiative. He wanted to widen his imagination so that he
could hold on to the old traditions and values while adapting to the challenges
of current times. It is now being reported that more than
600 containers have already been distributed – one container per household.
He
has also provided instructions on how to apply these ashes on the sheets.
“The advice is to moisten them, but to be
careful not to moisten too much as they’ll run down your forehead and nose as
has happened to many a poor soul in the past.” – He said.
For
more traditional news and wholesome happenings, make sure you’ve liked our page
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Lent
begins on Wednesday 17 February and we hope for everyone’s forgiveness!
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