Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is on February 26th this year, and it can be helpful to teach your child the importance of this day ahead of time. This holy day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer marks the beginning of Lent, when we prepare for the Easter season and Jesus’ resurrection. Teach your child all about Ash Wednesday with this information from the Polk County Catholic schools.
The Symbolism of Ashes
Your child is most likely wondering why ash in the shape of a cross is drawn on our foreheads. Ashes remind us of Genesis 3:19, which states that we come from dust and to dust, we will return. On this day, we reflect and repent, asking God for forgiveness for our sins. In doing so, we fast and practice abstinence. The sacrifice of Jesus needs to be recognized when we turn away from the sins we’ve made, as an act of faith to the Gospel.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is a week before Easter. At this time, priests provide palms at mass. These palms symbolize the palm branches that were placed before Jesus when he triumphantly rode into Jerusalem. Everyone celebrated His arrival by waving these palms. This was the start to the final seven days of Jesus’ ministry. These blessed palms are burned and used during the next Ash Wednesday. The ashes that mark our foreheads are sprinkled with holy water and blessed with thousand-year-old prayers.
Preparation for Easter
Easter is considered the most important holiday in the Catholic faith — even more important than Christmas! Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this Holy Week. We ask God for mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. We do so in 40 days before we can celebrate Easter. Your child may assume Easter is all about bunnies, candy, and eggs, but the meaning of this holiday goes beyond candy. Explain the meaning with our history and the story of how Jesus died. For younger children, don’t go into the details of the crucifixion. Simply state that Jesus died for us and he rises on Easter. Remember to emphasize that death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life. Because of His sacrifice for our glory, we need to repent and reflect prior to His resurrection. When your child hears and understands the story, you can discuss what she will be abstaining from. Then it’s time for the fun Easter traditions, like glow-in-the-dark egg hunts!
At Polk County Catholic schools, we foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact the Office of Catholic Schools at the Diocese of Orlando by dialing 407-246-4800.