Ash Wednesday

About Ash Wednesday

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which kicks off 40 days of prayer and fasting—representing Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, during which we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the Last Supper with His disciples (Maundy Thursday) and His death on the cross (Good Friday). The season officially ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter. Ash Wednesday sets into motion a season of self-examination and self-denial, a time to examine sin, contemplate our mortality and prepare for Easter.