Ash Wednesday is happening early this year. Here's what to know about the Day of Ashes

If you didn't grow up in a Catholic household, you probably remember being surprised the first time you saw people showing up to work or school with ash marked upon their foreheads.

That mark is a practice upheld by Christians, mostly Catholics, representing one of the religion's most popular and important holy days: Ash Wednesday.

Here's what to know about Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent:

What does Ash Wednesday celebrate?

Ash Wednesday is also called the Day of Ashes, and it's a day of repentance. According to William Johnston, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Dayton, Catholics and other Christians will come together to confess their sins and profess their devotion to God.

"It's pretty well recognized that (Ash Wednesday) is one of the days which – even people who aren't all that regular in church participation – some of them come to church on Wednesday as well," Johnston told USA Today. "It just has kind of strong cultural connections folks participate in."

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Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten period, leading up to Easter, where observers will go through a six-week period of fasting or self-sacrifice, prayer and almsgiving.

Lent is celebrated over 46 days. It includes 40 days of fasting and six Sundays, on which fasting is not practiced.

The 40-day period has a special significance in the Old and New Testaments. For instance, Moses spent 40 days and nights with God on Mount Sinai in preparation to receive the Ten Commandments. Jesus is also depicted as being led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days.

Why do people mark themselves with ash on Ash Wednesday?

Priests will mark a worshiper's head with ashes in the shape of a cross during Ash Wednesday Mass. While making the mark, the priests will say, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or "Repent and believe in the Gospel."

These ashes symbolize an individual's acknowledgment and repentance for their transgressions, with the tradition dating back to 1091, according to Johnston.

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"The ashes is just sort of a ritual symbolic way to say 'I'm beginning this journey of repentance and renewal, for the sake of my greater fidelity,'" he said.

While there is no obligation to retain or remove the ashes post-mass, it's common for individuals to wear them throughout the day. Typically sourced from the previous year's Palm Sunday palms, the ashes undergo a blessed burning process before being applied.

When is Ash Wednesday in 2024?

While it's not the easiest way to remember the holiday, Ash Wednesday always falls on the Wednesday six weeks before Easter. Easter can fall on a wide range of Sundays, so Ash Wednesday can happen as early as Feb. 4 and as late as March 10.

Ash Wednesday is on Feb. 14 this year.

When is Easter in 2024?

Easter 2024 falls on March 31, 2024.

Can you eat meat on Ash Wednesday?

No, Catholics aren't supposed to eat meat on Ash Wednesday or on Fridays while observing Lent.

On Ash Wednesday, worshipers are also supposed to fast, allowing themselves to have one meal during the day. Children and elderly people are usually exempt from fasting and giving up meat.

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What is Lent?

Ash Wednesday signifies the commencement of Lent, described by Johnston as "a time of preparation for the joyous celebration" of Easter.

This six-week period is dedicated to observances of self-sacrifice, prayer and various religious activities leading up to Easter − a day believed to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lent, according to Johnston, is characterized as a "phase of purification and enlightenment."

"It is encouraged for (worshipers) to both root out the things that prevent them from making sort of a wholehearted, unreserved commitment to Christ, and cultivate and develop those things in their life that do help them do that," Johnston said.

When does Lent start and end?

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 10, although when it ends is disputed. Some churches say it ends on the night of Holy Thursday (March 28, 2024), Good Friday (March 29, 2023), Holy Saturday (March 30, 2023) or Easter. Typically, Lent is celebrated during the entire 46-day period, with 40 days of fasting and six Sundays, when fasting is not practiced.

Why do people give up something for Lent?

During Lent, Catholics and other Christians will give up something they enjoy – like cookies, candy or alcohol – or something they feel like they should stop – like watching TV or social media.

Johnston said the practice of giving up something is learning how to say no to ourselves while saying yes to something we may be neglecting.

"If you say no, it's a way of learning how to say no to the desires that we have for our own pleasure in best interest, for the sake of being able to do something else," he said. "Say yes to other things that are that are important, whether it's serving others, engaging in prayer or what have you."

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: When is Ash Wednesday 2024? Everything to know about the Day of Ashes