The Catholic Ash Wednesday

In view to the words of God, a priest will say "Remeber Man that ash you are and in ash you shall return" making a sign of the cross on your forehead with ash after a Mass.

Ash Wednesday is known by Christians all over the world but only put in practice by the Catholic church to mark the beginning of lent. Hence, Catholics are obliged to practice the law of abstinence, fasting and prayer.

Abstinence from sexual immoralities, eating of meat from flesh of animals that produce blood when slaughtered are seen to be wrong during lent rather fish, amphibians and other reptiles are better advised within this period of lent.

This year 2018 Ash Wednesday comes up on 14th February after which the lent period follows which lasts for a duration of 40days with the exception of Sundays. It is pertinent to know that three pillars of lent includes prayer, fasting and giving arms.

Ash Wednesday lays more emphasis on mortality and the need for repentance through abstinence, praying and fasting. Perhaps, persons with unstable mind, pregnant or nursing mothers, manual labourers and the sick can be excused from fasting considering the extent at which they need to feed for nourishment.