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:

  1. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
  2. “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.