(This story has been revised to correct the date of Good Friday.)
Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season, and with the holiday just around the corner, other important holidays will not be far behind.
Feb. 18 is Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40 days and nights of the Lenten Calendar, meant to represent Jesus’ time in the desert fighting temptation for the same period, USA TODAY previously reported.
Lent also calls for fasting and praying to strengthen Catholics and Christians connections to God.
Observers also typically refrain from eating meat for the entire duration or on Fridays and may even give up an aspect of their life they enjoy with some meaning, such as soda, social media or alcohol, to represent the temptations Jesus underwent.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes at church on the forehead in the shape of a cross, meant to symbolize human mortality.
At the time of the ashes distribution, a priest will reference Genesis in the Bible and say, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” USA TODAY reported.
When is Palm Sunday 2026?
Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, the last week of Lent that leads up to Good Friday and Easter. Palm Sunday lands on March 29.
When is Good Friday 2026?
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and will be April 3.
When is Easter 2026?
Easter always takes place on a Sunday, and this year it will be on April 5.
Holy week and what each day represents, according to USA TODAY:
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Ernesto Centeno Araujo covers breaking news for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at ecentenoaraujo@vcstar.com, 805-437-0224 or @ecentenoaraujo on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, when are other important days?
Reporting by Ernesto Centeno Araujo and Victoria Franco, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
