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Christians Observe Ash Wednesday

Christians across the world, celebrate today as Ash Wednesday. But what is the origin and significance of the day?

In some countries like Jamaica, it is a national holiday, with precious little activity going on. For other countries it is business as usual.

Ash Wednesday celebrations can be traced back to as early as 300 AD, symbolising the beginning of the Lenten season. It occurs 40 days before Good Friday and is also known as the 'Day of Ashes'.

According to Roman Catholic Bishop Charles Dufour of the Montego Bay Diocese, it started as a special preparation for people being baptised during the Easter season. It is also a day when non-christians complete their penance for their reconciliation to the Church during Easter.

"On Ash Wednesday, God invites us to come back to Him. It is a sacred day and is a period of fasting and penance for all members of the Church," said Dufour. "This period of Lent is intended to be a time which sinful activities and habits are forsaken," he informed.

Lent comes from an old English word, Lenten, and means spring. Dufour said it signifies that the Church wants persons to have a new spring in their lives.

"Lent is a very interesting time, during this period we are to put away our sinful acts and let God's way grow in our lives," he said.

He also stated that daily prayer, daily Bible reading and fasting are important during the season.

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