You’ve seen them. Maybe you’re one of them. You’re at the grocery store or sitting in a morning Zoom meeting and you notice a dark, smudged cross on someone’s brow. Your first instinct—if you didn't grow up in a liturgical tradition—might be to tell them they’ve got a bit of grease on their face. Don't. Today is Ash Wednesday, and for roughly two billion Christians worldwide, those smudges are the most visible sign of the year that things are about to get very serious, very fast.
It’s the official kickoff to Lent.
Lent is that forty-day marathon of fasting and reflection that leads up to Easter. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mood dampener coming right off the heels of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), but that’s the whole point. You go from the beads and king cake of New Orleans to a stark reminder of your own mortality. It’s a jarring shift. But in a world that’s constantly telling us to "live our best lives" and ignore the passage of time, there’s something oddly grounding about a day that looks you in the eye and says, "Hey, you’re not going to be here forever."
What’s Actually Happening During the Service?
If you step into a Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, or Methodist church today, the vibe is subdued. The liturgy is stripped back. The priest or pastor will dip their thumb into a bowl of fine, grey soot and trace a cross on your forehead.
They usually say one of two things. Either "Repent, and believe in the Gospel," or the more classic, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
That second one? It’s a direct quote from the Book of Genesis. It’s not meant to be a threat; it’s a reality check. We spend so much energy trying to curate our digital legacies and buy things that last, but today is Ash Wednesday, and the church is basically reminding you that your physical body is temporary.
Where do the ashes come from? Most people think they just buy them in bulk from a church supply catalog. While some parishes do that, the traditional way is much cooler. They take the palm branches leftover from the previous year’s Palm Sunday—the ones people waved around to celebrate Jesus entering Jerusalem—and they burn them. They grind those charred leaves into a fine powder. It’s a full-circle moment. The symbols of victory from last year become the symbols of humility for this year.
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The Fasting Rules Are Not a Suggestion
For Catholics specifically, this isn't just about the forehead smudge. It’s a day of mandatory fasting and abstinence.
What does that look like in practice?
Basically, if you’re between the ages of 18 and 59, you’re supposed to eat only one full meal. You can have two smaller "snacks" (the Church calls them collations) that don't add up to a full meal, but that’s it. No "grazing." Also, no meat. This is why you’ll see every fast-food joint in America suddenly pushing their fish sandwiches today. It’s a huge business day for Filet-O-Fish.
- Fasting: One full meal, two small ones.
- Abstinence: No meat (poultry and beef are out; fish is in).
It’s worth noting that "meat" in this context refers to warm-blooded animals. That’s why alligator is technically okay to eat in places like Louisiana—a weird loophole that has led to many an Ash Wednesday gator po'boy.
Why Do People Still Care?
We live in a hyper-digital, fast-paced era. So why are Gen Z and Millennials showing up to midday services in record numbers?
A lot of it comes down to the "JOMO" or Joy of Missing Out. We are burnt out. We are over-stimulated. The idea of a season (Lent) where you’re encouraged to put down the phone, stop the mindless consumption, and actually think about your internal life is incredibly attractive.
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Today is Ash Wednesday, and for many, it's the one day of the year where they feel permitted to be "not okay." You don't have to perform. You don't have to look perfect. You literally have dirt on your face. There is a profound equality in that. Whether you’re a CEO or a college student, the ash looks the same on everyone.
Misconceptions That Drive Clergy Crazy
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking that Ash Wednesday is a "Holy Day of Obligation" for Catholics. It actually isn't. You aren't "required" to go under penalty of sin like you are on Christmas or a typical Sunday. And yet, it’s often the busiest day of the year for many parishes. People want to be there.
Another weird one: You don't have to be Catholic to get ashes.
Most priests won't turn anyone away. I’ve seen atheists, agnostics, and people from all sorts of backgrounds get in line. There’s a human element to acknowledging our fragility that transcends specific dogma.
Also, you don't have to keep the ashes on all day. There’s no "rule" saying you can't wash them off. In fact, some people argue that since the Bible says "when you fast, do not look somber... but wash your face," you should actually scrub them off immediately so you aren't being performative. But most people keep them on as a way of witnessing to their faith or just as a personal reminder throughout the workday.
The Logistics of Lent
If you’re planning on participating, keep in mind that the "forty days" count is a bit of a math puzzle.
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If you count from today until Easter Sunday, you’ll find it’s actually 46 days. Why? Because Sundays don't count. Sundays are always considered "mini-Easters," so you’re technically allowed to break your Lenten fast on those days. If you gave up coffee and you’re vibrating with a headache by Saturday night, Sunday morning is your loophole. Just don't go overboard.
How to Handle Today if You're Working
If you're in an office or a public-facing job, the "smudge" can be an icebreaker or an awkward moment.
- If you see it on a coworker: Just acknowledge it normally if you must, or ignore it. They know it's there.
- If you're wearing it: You don't owe anyone a deep theological explanation. A simple "It's Ash Wednesday" usually does the trick.
- The "Dirt" Factor: Sometimes the ashes are mixed with a bit too much oil and they start to run. It happens. Keep a mirror handy so you don't end up with a black streak down your nose by 2:00 PM.
Actionable Steps for Today
Since today is Ash Wednesday, you might be wondering how to actually "do" Lent if you've never tried it before or if you've fallen out of the habit.
First, pick something to give up that actually costs you something. If you don't like chocolate, giving up chocolate is cheating. Pick something that occupies your time or your thoughts. Social media is a big one. It’s hard, it’s annoying, and it leaves a vacuum that you have to fill with something else—ideally something more productive or spiritual.
Second, try "adding" instead of just "subtracting." Give up 15 minutes of sleep to meditate or pray. Add a daily walk without headphones. The point isn't to suffer for the sake of suffering; it's to clear out the noise.
Third, look at your local community. Ash Wednesday often kicks off massive food drives and charity events. Because the day is centered on the idea that "we are all dust," it naturally leads to a sense of solidarity with those who have less. Find a local "Lenten Fish Fry"—they are usually open to the public, the food is surprisingly good, and the money almost always goes to a local charity or school.
Finally, take a second to breathe. Whether you believe in the religious aspect or not, the concept of a "reset button" is universally valuable. Use today to look at the habits you’ve formed since the start of the year. If you’ve already failed at your New Year’s resolutions (most of us have by late January or February), think of today as a second chance to start over with a bit more humility and a lot less pressure to be perfect.