Next Wednesday, February 23, 2023, an important date is celebrated in the Christian calendar. But what does it mean?
This day marks the beginning of the preparatory time for the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. From this day, Lent begins, which marks the countdown of forty days until Holy Week.
During this day, Christians must confess their sins, asking God for forgiveness. In addition, those over 18 and under 60 must fast, meaning they can only eat a large meal. This also marks the beginning of the season of abstinence from meat during all Fridays of Lent for those who are over 14 years old.
It is interesting to highlight the rite that It is celebrated during this day in all the Christian churches of the world. As its name indicates, it involves the imposition of ashes, which the priest distributes on the foreheads of the faithful, drawing the sign of the Holy Cross. As he does so he pronounces the phrase: “Dust you are and to dust you will return.” The reason is to remember the mortal character of the Christian in the days where they reflect on the deed that Jesus did when he died for the salvation of humanity.
These ashes are produced with the cremation of the blessed branches on Palm Sunday of the previous liturgical year.