2007-01-12 16:45:45 · 10 answers · asked by HANASOGE M 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
It is a Catholic holiday, in which the followers of this religion go to a special Mass to prepare themselves for the period of forty days until Good Friday, in which the passion and death of Jesus Christ is commemorated. This period of 40 days which begins on Ash Wednesday {"Cuaresma" in Spanish} is mainly observed in Latin American countries.
2007-01-12 16:59:12 · answer #1 · answered by la_nena_sabe... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ash Wednesday is the day Lent begins. It occurs forty days before Good Friday. The “official” name of Ash Wednesday is “the Day of Ashes.” The reason the day became known as Ash Wednesday is that it is forty days before Good Friday, which will always be a Wednesday. The Bible does not mention Ash Wednesday, or Lent for that matter.
The period of Lent is intended to be a time where sinful activities and habits are forsaken. Ash Wednesday is the “commencement” of this period of repentance. The Bible contains numerous accounts of people using “dust and ashes” as a symbol of repentance and/or mourning (Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21). The tradition is that the symbol of the cross is made in ashes on a person’s forehead as a symbol of that person’s identification with Jesus Christ. A similar concept is mentioned in Revelation 7:3; 9:4; 14:1 and 22:4.
Should a Christian observe Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday, along with Lent, is observed by most Catholics, most orthodox denominations, and a few Protestant denominations. Since the Bible nowhere commands or condemns such a procedure, a Christian is at liberty to prayerfully decide whether to observe Ash Wednesday or not. If a Christian feels led of the Lord to observe Ash Wednesday and/or Lent – they important thing is to have a Biblical perspective. It is a good thing to repent of sinful activities. It is a good thing to clearly identify yourself as a Christian. It is unbiblical to believe that God will automatically bless in response to the observance of a ritual. God is interested in our hearts, not in us observing rituals. See Matthew chapter 6, verses 1-8.
www.gotquestions.org/Ash-Wednesday.html
2007-01-12 16:54:10 · answer #2 · answered by Dempsey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ash Wednesday is the beggining of Lent for Catholics. Catholics typically go to Mass and receive ashes on their forehead as a sign that they are entering a time of penance and a sign that they were born of dust and will return to dust.
Lent is approximately a 40 day period of fasting, praying and basically preparing for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
2007-01-12 16:51:40 · answer #3 · answered by jumbyhead 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A fairly outdated Catholic ritual(involving ash in the form of a cross put on the forehead).
2007-01-12 16:52:58 · answer #4 · answered by nicko 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jumbyhead is correct. And to the Latina, it is not mainly observed in Latin America, it is observed by all Catholics, Orthodox Christians and some others. It is a holy day of obligation for Catholics meaning that like all the Sundays one is required to attend Mass on that day. It is one of the two days of "Fast and abstinence" for Catholics, the second one is Good Friday.
2007-01-12 17:55:08 · answer #5 · answered by Aine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the day after Fat Tuesday, A big Mardi Gras celebration.
2007-01-12 19:26:31 · answer #6 · answered by Pat C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the first day of Lent.
2007-01-12 16:51:31 · answer #7 · answered by subbu123 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jumbyhead says is exactly right
2007-01-12 17:32:52 · answer #8 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the wednesdy before lent begins right?
2007-01-12 16:48:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the church cleans the astrays.
2007-01-12 16:49:23 · answer #10 · answered by INDRAG? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋