Receiving ashes in the form of the Cross on one’s forehead is an ancient custom and a sign of the start of Lent – Ash Wednesday.

In the Old Testament, putting on sackcloth and ashes was an indication of mourning and/or repentance. Jesus affirms this contrition practice in Matthew 11:21.

When applying the ashes (procured by burning the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday) to foreheads, the minister says either “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (from Mark 1:15), or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (from Genesis 3:19).

Ashes serve to publicly show our dependence on God’s mercy.