what do they say on ash wednesday
On Ash Wednesday, there are two main traditional phrases used when the ashes are placed on a person’s forehead:
- “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
- “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
These short sentences sum up the heart of Ash Wednesday: human mortality and the call to repentance and renewal at the start of Lent.
What the priest actually says
During the Ash Wednesday service, the minister or priest traces a cross of ashes on each person’s forehead and says either of these formulas:
- “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
- “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.”
Both are approved and widely used in Catholic and many Protestant churches as the standard words for the imposition of ashes.
What these words mean
- “You are dust…” highlights that life on earth is temporary and that every person will face death, which encourages humility and seriousness about how we live.
- “Repent and believe in the Gospel” is a call to turn away from sin and trust the good news of Jesus, beginning a season of prayer, fasting, and spiritual reflection before Easter.
Together, they remind people that ashes are not just a ritual, but a visible sign of inner repentance, grief over sin, and hope in God’s grace.
What ordinary people might say on Ash Wednesday
Outside church, people might say simple, respectful phrases like:
- “Wishing you a meaningful Ash Wednesday.”
- “I hope today is significant for you.”
These are especially used in workplaces or among friends where not everyone shares the same beliefs, but there’s a desire to acknowledge the day in a kind, neutral way.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.