Also known as Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before the religious Ash Wednesday is a celebration before Lent begins. The name stems from the tradition of using all the fats in the home to prepare for Lent.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, Christianity's 40-day season of prayer, fasting and giving in preparation for Jesus Christ' resurrection.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. Here's everything to know about why it is celebrated by Christians, where to get the ashes and more.

Ash Wednesday always falls six and a half weeks before Easter. Because it's dependent on the date Easter falls on, it can occur as early as Feb. 4 or as late as March 10.

During Ash Wednesday service, the phrase, "Remember, man, that you are dust and to dust you shall return,” from the Book of Genesis is traditionally employed.

A Homily for Ash Wednesday Readings: Joel 2:12-18 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 There is a line in the T. S. Eliot poem “The Waste Land” that may evoke the Book of Genesis.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5.

When is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is always six and a half weeks before Easter. Since Ash Wednesday is dependent on the date of Easter, it can occur as early as Feb. 4 or as late as March 10.

As it has done for the last several years, St. Hugh of Lincoln Episcopal Church in Elgin has offered Christians a unique way to start the Lenten season by dispensing ashes via a drive-thru lane rat… ...