What is Ash Wednesday and the smudges on people’s foreheads? What you should know

Every year in February and March, you’ll see people walking around with black smudges on their foreheads.

There’s a simple reason for it – it’s Ash Wednesday, an important season for Christians.

When is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

What is Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday begins the liturgical season of Lent for many Christian faiths. Catholics celebrate the day by attending Mass and receiving ashes on their forehead.

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What is Lent?

Lent is the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Christians use the time for preparation and atonement before celebrating Easter. Christians will pray more, deny themselves of luxuries or give to charity to atone for sins.

Do you fast on Ash Wednesday?

Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 fast on Ash Wednesday, eating only one full meal and two smaller meals. The two smaller meals are not equal to the full meal. In addition, Catholics over the age of 14 abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday.

What does a cross on a forehead mean?

Those are ashes forming a cross on the person’s forehead.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the tradition has its roots in the Old Testament, where wearing ashes was a common sign of repentance for sins and a sign of one’s humility before God.

The ashes themselves are usually made by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. This symbolically connects the beginning of Lent with its end, connecting a change of heart with Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When is Ash Wednesday 2025? What is Lent?