Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.

Blessed ashes that are put on our forehead symbolize our mortality. The stark reminder of our earthly death is not meant to discourage, but rather to give us cause to consider anew the brevity of life so that we will make better daily decisions; namely, that today and throughout the entirety of this special season of grace we will seek God in all aspects of our life and come to experience true freedom that only is found in Christ Jesus our Lord and King.