Ash Wednesday is also, apparently, a novel by Ethan Hawke, a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot, and an all girl Japanese hard rock band, among other things.
I think it marks the start of Jesus' forty day trip in the desert. The basic idea is that Catholics (*raises hand timidly*) have to give up something for the same time period, since he gave up both food and water.
I forget why the ashes on the forehead, but I think it's a symbol of the sacrifice you're making to prepare for the renewal of baptism on Easter Sunday.
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Date: 2004-02-25 12:12 pm (UTC)http://www.cin.org/users/james/files/ash_wed.htm
Ash Wednesday is also, apparently, a novel by Ethan Hawke, a collection of poems by T.S. Eliot, and an all girl Japanese hard rock band, among other things.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-02-25 09:27 pm (UTC)I forget why the ashes on the forehead, but I think it's a symbol of the sacrifice you're making to prepare for the renewal of baptism on Easter Sunday.