Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar, a 40-day period of reflection, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter. It is a day of solemn observance, symbolised by the application of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful in the shape of a cross. The ashes, made from the previous year's Palm Sunday palms, signify repentance and a reminder of human mortality with the phrase, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Ash Wednesday is a time for Christians to reflect on their faith, seek forgiveness, and commit to spiritual growth through acts of charity, fasting, and prayer. It sets the tone for the Lenten journey, inviting believers to draw closer to God.