Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday

The Lenten season officially started with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge was overflowing with people coming to have their forehead marked with ashes in the form of a cross. This is a reminder of their mortality and a call to reflect on their faith.

Ash Wednesday holds great significance for Christians worldwide. It marks the beginning of the forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and repentance leading up to Easter Sunday. The ashes used during the ceremony are typically made by burning the palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. As the priest applies the ashes to each person's forehead, they recite the words, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

During this solemn observance, believers are encouraged to contemplate their own mortality and seek forgiveness for their sins. It serves as a time of introspection and spiritual renewal, setting the tone for the rest of the Lenten season. Many Christians choose to give up certain luxuries or engage in acts of charity as a way to deepen their connection with God and their fellow human beings.