5 interesting facts about Ash Wednesday, Lent
February 14, 2024
There are many familiar traditions leading up to the celebration of Easter. The Christian Post reports that many Christians worldwide will engage in fasting, solemn contemplation and abstaining from certain foods or luxuries.
Here are five interesting facts about Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent:
- The meaning of ashes – Worshippers participating in Ash Wednesday will have ashes, in the shape of a cross, placed on their foreheads to symbolize mortality and penance. The Judeo-Christian tradition has long embraced the use of ashes on one’s head as a solemn call to repentance.
- Why do people give up things they enjoy for Lent? – This practice has its roots in Christ’s call for His disciples to “take up their cross daily” and follow Him. By giving up things like smoking, drinking, candy or television, in a prayerful way, Christians can renew themselves in Christ.
- ‘Alleluia’ is not allowed during Lent – It’s customary for churches observing Lent to refrain from songs that include the Hebrew phrase ‘alleluia’ which means “praise the Lord.” Because of the penitential nature of Lent, this phrase is reserved for the celebratory choruses sung at Easter.
- Laetare Sunday – The fourth Sunday of Lent is celebrated by some Christian churches with a more upbeat and celebratory tone than other Lenten season Sundays. It derives its name from “Laetare, Jerusalem” or “Rejoice, O Jerusalem.”
- Last year’s Palm Sunday branches used for ashes – Ashes used on Ash Wednesday are traditionally made from the palm leaves that were utilized for last year’s Palm Sunday. This tradition underscores the theme of mortality that is part of the Lenten season.
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