Ash Wednesday 2026: Dates, traditions, and the meaning behind the ritual

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, 40 days of spiritual preparation that culminate on Easter Sunday. This time is essential for reflection and repentance in the Catholic tradition.

Photo: Shutterstock

When is Ash Wednesday in 2026?

This year, Ash Wednesday will be observed on February 18. On this day, Catholic faithful attend church to receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads—a symbolic act representing penitence and the desire for conversion.

This moment marks the beginning of Lent, which recalls the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert. During this period, the Church invites the faithful to practice fasting, prayer, and almsgiving as essential forms of spiritual preparation.
Its Meaning and Origins

The tradition dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. At that time, people who had committed serious sins would have ashes placed on their heads as a sign of repentance and sorrow for having offended God and others.

The ashes symbolize repentance, the commitment to change, and the desire for reconciliation. Receiving them expresses the faithful’s wish for conversion, the intention to make penance for sins committed, and to renew their relationship with God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

They also represent the destruction of past mistakes and the opportunity for spiritual renewal.

Photo: Unsplash

Why Does Ash Wednesday Fall on a Different Date Each Year?

The date of Ash Wednesday depends on the date of Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. From there, the Church counts 40 days backward (excluding Sundays) to determine the start of Lent — Ash Wednesday.

What are the ashes made of?

If you’ve ever wondered what the ashes are made of, here’s the answer: every year, during this liturgical celebration, churches carry out the traditional imposition of ashes during Mass.

The ashes are made by burning the blessed palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday. The priests then bless these ashes and mark the faithful’s foreheads with the sign of the cross.

If you’re not from Mexico and plan to visit the country during this time, stay at Camino Real Aeropuerto México and take the opportunity to visit one of the nearby churches to receive ashes.