This year, the date of Ash Wednesday coincides with the global celebration of Valentine’s Day. On February 14, the streets will be full of parishioners with a cross made of ashes on their foreheads, symbolizing the beginning of Lent 2024, but why is it called that?
Lent
Also known as a time of conversion, Lent is part of the liturgical times of the Catholic Church. For 40 days, parishioners prepare for Holy Week, in which the mysteries of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ are celebrated and gives way to Easter.
Ash Wednesday and the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday mark the beginning and end of this period. The duration of this is due to the symbolism of the number 40 in the Bible.
(Keep reading: Valentine’s Day will fall on Ash Wednesday in 2024: what does it mean? Are there restrictions?)
Fasting is a Lenten practice.
Photo:
iStock / Jorge Torres. EFE / iStock
According to ‘ACI Prensa’, “in this, we talk about the forty days of the flood, the forty years of the Jewish people’s march through the desert, the forty days of Moses and Elijah on the mountain, the forty days “What Jesus spent in the desert before beginning his public life, of the 400 years that the Jews stayed in Egypt.”
During this period the Catholic Church invites believers to repent of their sins, improve and live closer to Christ. This is why fasting and abstinence are common practices during Lent.
This 2024 is a leap year, therefore, Lent will last 41 days until Holy Thursday, March 28, which commemorates the passion of Christ. Then Holy Week will begin and finally Easter.
(We recommend you read: What is the difference between Lent, Holy Week and Easter? Here are their characteristics)
Ash Wednesday
“Dust you are and to dust you will return,” are the words that the parishioners will hear while the ashes are placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross.
The ashes are obtained from the palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. This date marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem, one week before his crucifixion.
@desdelafe In a minute we will tell you… Everything you need to know about Ash Wednesday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, a period dedicated to reflection, repentance and penance. Through fasting, prayer and charity, the faithful prepare spiritually for the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. Discover more about Ash Wednesday in this video. Don’t forget to leave us in the comments what topics you would like us to address. #unminuto #lent #wise #Wednesday #ashwednesday ♬ original sound – From Faith
(Of interest: When is Ash Wednesday 2024 in the United States?)
Holy Week 2024
Palm Sunday: March 24.
Holy Monday: March 25.
Holy Tuesday: March 26.
Holy Wednesday: March 27
Holy Thursday: March 28.
Good Friday: March 29.
Holy Saturday: March 30.
Easter Sunday: March 31.
Easter Monday: April 1.
What is the meaning of Holy Week and its main rites?
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