Ash Wednesday and
the Beginning of Lent

The Vatican's First Easter Stamp Scott 467 (1969) Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the season of Lent on the Christian calendar. Today we are marked with ashes to symbolize our mortality and to be reminded of our human fate: from dust we are and to dust we shall return. The ashes distributed today come from the old, burned palm branches distributed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. Lent is the most solemn period on the liturgical calendar, commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, prior to the start of his public ministry. Lent is observed in most Christian churches, although traditions vary between Christian denominations. Oftentimes we talk about the 40 days of Lent. But, within the Catholic Church, Lent actually encompasses a total of 43 days, spanning the calendar from Ash Wednesday through Holy Thursday (which is also referred to as Maundy Thursday). This is the day when the Last Supper of Christ and his disciples is commemorated. Other denominations have Lent ending at sundown on Holy Saturday with the celebration of the Easter Vigil. In the Eastern Church, Lent begins on Clean Monday, which is the sixth Monday before Palm Sunday and falls after Ash Wednesday. Lent is the time for believers in Jesus Christ to prepare for His coming resurrection at Easter through prayer, repentance, almsgiving, and self-denial. During Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries as a means of imitating Jesus Christ's sacrifice during his time in the desert. As we embark on our Lenten journey, the VPS website team has compiled a daily pilgrimage to the Lenten Station Churches of Rome. Please be sure to click on the Page 2 tab to access each day’s Station Church. We hope this voyage enhances your preparation for the great feast of Easter.