Ash Wednesday kicks off Lent
Posted Feb 22, 2012 7:14 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent in the Christian calendar.
It’s the 40 day period leading up to Easter, mimicking Jesus spending 40 days fasting in the desert during which time he was tempted by Satan.
The day gets its name from the practice of placing ashes from the previous year’s palm leaves after they’re burned, on the forehead of people as a sign of repentance to God.
It marks a time of prayer and giving up something like chocolate, going to the movies or smoking.
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