Ash Wednesday

[Eilonnwy]

People put ashes on their foreheads??? When did this happen?

It happens every Ash Wednesday. You don't what that is? Maybe it's only a Catholic thing, I'm not sure.

Basically Ash Wednesday is the day that marks the beginning of Lent which is the 40 day holy period before holy week (Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter). People got to church and get holy ashes on their head in the shape of a cross (Though usually it ends up looking like a dot) with an incantation.

You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ash_Wednesday

I used to get ashes on my forehead when I was a child.