What is Ash Wednesday? The Dallas Bishop explains the origin

DALLAS — Millions round the world will probably be celebrating Ash Wednesday right now, placing smudges of the cross on their brow. 

But have you ever ever puzzled how the custom began? 

We just lately sat down with Bishop Edward Burns, head of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas, to speak about the vacation’s origins. 

“Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the penitential season of Lent,” Burns stated. “And Lent is an opportunity to prepare for Easter.”

Like many different Christian traditions, the origins of Ash Wednesday could be traced again to historical Rome. 

“They’re placed on our forehead in the sign of a cross,” Burns stated. “What it does, it reminds us of how we have to be sorrowful for our sins. But there’s also a reminder, that word dust, and we’re going to return to dust, and we’re mindful of our time here is finite.” 

Burns stated the ashes initially got here from the palms which had been raised on waved on Palm Sunday, as the palms had been saved and burnt. 

Ashes are certainly one of Christianity’s most seen rituals, nevertheless it’s additionally only one a part of the Lent season. 

“The spiritual exercise that comes with Lent is that whatever we give up, whatever we have saved, because I’m not going to eat chocolate for Lent, then hopefully, the money you saved by not eating your chocolate, you’re going to find somebody who’s in need, and say, I want to give this to you,” Burns stated. 

Burns additionally says the vacation is not nearly you, but in addition about your relationship to Jesus Christ and bringing him nearer to you. 

Along with Roman Catholics, different sects of Christianity which take part in Ash Wednesday embody Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians.