Catholics around the world mark beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday

By Zoila Palma Gonzalez: Catholics in Belize and around the world mark the commencement of Lent today.

Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting and giving that Catholics and some Christians observe as a time of repentance and closeness to God in preparation for the day of Christ’s resurrection, celebrated on Easter.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season that is one of five on the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Ordinary Time.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of Lent that falls six and half weeks before Easter each year.

Members of the Catholic Church ages 18 to 59 are required to observe Lent and fast on Ash Wednesday, starting at 14-years-old.

According to the Vatican, Ash Wednesday dates back to the 11th century.

But the tradition of marking one’s forward with ashes is rooted in the ancient Hebrew custom of “clothing oneself in sackcloth and dusting oneself with ashes as a sign of penance,” according to Hallow, an app for Christian and Catholic prayer and meditation.

Ash Wednesday places Catholics and Christians in the place of Jesus’ entry into the desert before His death. It is a symbolic turning of one’s heart towards God, recognizing the brokenness that exists and the need for salvation.

On Ash Wednesday, you may see neighbors walking around with ash crosses on their foreheads.

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