While lovers are looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14, Christians, especially devout Catholics, will be observing the first day of the Lenten season that day, Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the Lenten season. As the season is based on the date of the Easter, which, on the other hand, is based on or around the time of the first moon of vernal equinox (first day of Spring), the date of Ash Wednesday and other important dates of the Lenten season change every year. Hence, this year, Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 14 while it fell on March 1 last year.
According to Biblical scholar and Priest Lauren F. Winner, the observance of Ash Wednesday began in the 11th Century. The day is an important part of the Christian calendar as it signals the beginning of the season of fasting, repentance, prayer, and self-control, the Lenten Season.
“You see that in the book Daniel in the nine chapter there’s a line about associating fasting with ashes, so ashes are associated with penance, which is the dominant theme of Lent,” Winner said.
While many Christians observe…
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