Today, the Church marks Ash Wednesday, the solemn beginning of the sacred season of Lent — a time of prayer, fasting, and reflection as we prepare our hearts for the Resurrection of our Lord at Easter. On this day, the faithful receive ashes on their foreheads in the form of a cross, accompanied by the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These words remind us of our human frailty and call us to turn away from sin and renew our lives in Christ.

The ashes, prepared from the blessed palm branches of the previous year’s Palm Sunday, are a powerful symbol of repentance and humility. Rooted in ancient tradition and practiced since the early centuries of the Church, the wearing of ashes expresses our sorrow for sin and our desire to be reconciled with God. It echoes the example of the faithful throughout salvation history who humbled themselves before God in sackcloth and ashes, seeking His mercy.

Ash Wednesday invites each of us to enter into the Lenten journey with sincerity and devotion. Through prayer, fasting, and acts of charity, we are called to deepen our relationship with the Lord and prepare spiritually to celebrate the victory of Christ over sin and death. As we begin this holy season, may it be a time of grace, renewal, and conversion for all, drawing us closer to the merciful heart of Christ.