The Meaning of Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent. It is called Ash Wednesday because of the ceremony of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of penitence. This custom, probably introduced by Pope Gregory I, has been universal since the Synod of Benevento (1091). Sackcloth and ashes or torn clothes and ashes on the head have signified mourning, especially mourning of one’s own guilt, or one’s own loss, since Old Testament times.  “And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.’” (Ezekiel 9:4)  “That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head.” (1 Samuel 4:12)  “On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.” (2 Samuel 1:2)  “Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.” (2 Samuel 13:19)  “When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.” (2 Samuel 15:32) Ashes obtained from burned palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday (almost a year before) are used on Ash Wednesday. The pastor places the ashes on the foreheads of the officiating clergy and the congregation, while reciting over each one the following formula: “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”The Meaning of Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is the first day of the penitential season of Lent. It is called Ash Wednesday because of the ceremony of placing ashes on the forehead as a sign of penitence. This custom, probably introduced by Pope Gregory I, has been universal since the Synod of Benevento (1091). Sackcloth and ashes or torn clothes and ashes on the head have signified mourning, especially mourning of one’s own guilt, or one’s own loss, since Old Testament times.  “And the LORD said to him, ‘Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.’” (Ezekiel 9:4)  “That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh, his clothes torn and dust on his head.” (1 Samuel 4:12)  “On the third day a man arrived from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and with dust on his head. When he came to David, he fell to the ground to pay him honor.” (2 Samuel 1:2)  “Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the ornamented robe she was wearing. She put her hand on her head and went away, weeping aloud as she went.” (2 Samuel 13:19)  “When David arrived at the summit, where people used to worship God, Hushai the Arkite was there to meet him, his robe torn and dust on his head.” (2 Samuel 15:32) Ashes obtained from burned palm branches of the previous Palm Sunday (almost a year before) are used on Ash Wednesday. The pastor places the ashes on the foreheads of the officiating clergy and the congregation, while reciting over each one the following formula: “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”