Ash Wednesday

first day of Lent in the Western Christian and Catholic calendar

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. It occurs 46 days before Easter. The date is different each year because the date of Easter varies. It can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10.

Those able to and willing to should fast voluntarily between Ash Wednesday and Easter. There are exceptions, though. Pregnant women, sick people, children, and the old usually don't have to.

Ash Wednesday is a very important part of Lent.

Dates change

The dates of Ash Wednesday are:

2000 March 8
2001 February 28
2002 February 13
2003 March 5
2004 February 25
2005 February 9
2006 March 1
2007 February 21
2008 February 6
2009 February 25
2010 February 17
2011 March 9
2012 February 22
2013 February 13
2014 March 5
2015 February 18
2016 February 10
2017 March 1
2018 February 14
2019 March 6
2020 February 26
2021 February 17
2022 March 2
2023 February 22
2024 February 14
2025 March 5
2026 February 18
2027 February 10
2028 March 1
2029 February 14
2030 March 6

Related pages change