Engaging and free educational Ash Wednesday printables and worksheets to help guide kids into Lent.
As we approach Ash Wednesday, Catholics worldwide are gearing up for the spiritual journey through Lent. One important thing not to overlook is to explain Ash Wednesday to kids.
If your kids are inquisitive like mine, they might have some questions about Ash Wednesday. Why ashes? Why Wednesday? Why all the purple?
Don’t worry, I’ve answered a lot of these questions in this post, and I have also created some helpful and fun educational Ash Wednesday printables for kids. These worksheets are designed to engage children and help them grasp the significance of Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Let’s work together to ensure our children and students have a meaningful Ash Wednesday experience.
What is Ash Wednesday?
Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. Lent is a liturgical season in the Catholic Church that lasts about 40 days. Lent is a time of penance, repentance, reflection, and spiritual renewal.
What happens on Ash Wednesday?
Here are some of the things that happen on Ash Wednesday:
- The imposition of ashes
- The beginning of Lent
- Holy Mass
- Fasting and abstinence
The Imposition of Ashes
The Imposition of Ashes is usually within Mass, but can also be done outside of Mass. In Mass, it often happens after the homily. The congregation approaches the altar as if for Holy Communion. The priest or deacon marks the forehead with ashes in the sign of the cross and says either: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” You remain silent. The ashes are made from the blessed palm branches used in the Palm Sunday of the previous year.
The Three Pillars of Lent
The three traditional pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Days of Fasting and abstinence
On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, adult Catholics are required to fast, and Catholics of age 14+ are required to abstain from meat. Catholics of all ages should observe some form of penance, as it says in Canon 1252, “Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.”
Preparation to Enter the Church
During Lent, baptized individuals renew their commitment to the church. It is also important to realize that those who are in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program are preparing to enter the church at Easter. It’s a time of learning and thinking for those who want to become Catholics. We can pray for those on this journey during Lent.
Frequently Asked Questions on Ash Wednesday
No, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation.
In the Code of Canon Law, Holy Days of Obligation are listed under Feast Days. Ash Wednesday is listed under Days of Penance. Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation because it is a day of penance and not a feast day.`
Yes, Ash Wednesday is the first day of the liturgical season of Lent.
Usually, the Ash Wednesday ashes are created by burning palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.
The ashes symbolize our mortality, as it states in Genesis 3: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” They also symbolize grief from the sins we have committed.
Upon receiving the ashes, you remain silent. The priest or other minister presses the ashes to the forehead and say either: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” You do not reply.
The earliest date for Ash Wednesday is February 4, with Easter falling on March 22.
The latest date for Ash Wednesday is March 10, with Easter being celebrated on April 25.
There is no requirement to retain ashes on the forehead for a specific duration. Some individuals opt to wipe them off immediately, while others choose to keep them throughout the day. I like to get an #ashtag photo for the ‘gram and leave them on while they last.
What’s Inside: Free Educational Ash Wednesday Printables for kids:
This is a six-page free PDF download. It includes:
- Making Lenten Promises: This page introduces the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving with a space for children to write their own Lenten promises.
- The 3 Pillars Worksheets: Using pillars to illustrate the concepts of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in Lent. I have provided three versions.
- Anna’s Ashes: A Short Story for Kids about Ash Wednesday.
- Anna’s Ashes Narration/Reflection Page.
Want more? grab the full Lent bundle!
What’s Inside: Full Educational Ash Wednesday and Lent Bundle
This is a 50+ page paid PDF download. It includes all of the above, plus:
- Scripture and Lectio Divina guide for kids on Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) with narration/reflection page
- Lent Morning Warm Ups: A set of five Lent-themed Morning Warm-Ups.
- Lent Colour and Count: Colour and count page featuring symbols associated with Lent, such as crosses, the Eucharist, and praying hands.
- A is for Ashes: A Lenten Alphabet (preschool)
- perfect for playdough mat use
- large letters for finger tracing
- upper and lower case
- A is for Ashes: A Lenten Alphabet (kindergarten)
- upper and lower case tracing and colouring
Benefits of Using Educational Ash Wednesday Printables:
- Educational Value:
These worksheets offer a structured way to educate children about Ash Wednesday and the significance of Lent, enhancing their understanding of Catholic traditions and practices. - Engagement and Interaction:
Interactive activities keep children engaged and encourage active participation in learning about Ash Wednesday and Lent. - Facilitates Discussion:
Worksheets serve as conversation starters, allowing parents, teachers, and children to discuss the meaning of Ash Wednesday and how it relates to their own lives and faith. This personal witness may be the most impactful thing. - Promotes Reflection:
Writing prompts and reflection activities encourage children to contemplate the deeper spiritual themes of Ash Wednesday, fostering personal growth and introspection.
This educational Ash Wednesday printable is perfect for:
- Homeschooling
- Homeschool co-ops
- Catholic school
- Sunday school
- Catechism class
- Religious Education (DREs)
Included in the free printable: A Short Story About Ash Wednesday: Anna’s Ashes
Read online or grab the free printable below.
“Get up, time to wake up!” Anna could hear her little sister Lily calling in a singsong voice. The aroma of warm oatmeal wafted up the stairs. Anna groaned as she stretched and glanced at the clock on her nightstand. Her family would be attending morning Mass today for Ash Wednesday. She had better get moving.
“Boy, that smells great!” As the dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, Anna, Lily, and Ben gathered around the kitchen table with their parents for a simple breakfast. Dad was only having coffee. Baby Pio sat in his highchair, yelling and smacking the table with his little wooden spoon.
Anna sat on a rough wooden chair and ate slowly, savouring the homecooked meal. It was simple, but filling enough for a day of fasting. Even though Anna wasn’t yet old enough to be obligated to fast, she liked to keep her meals simple, to practice for when she was older.
In the rush that always seemed to accompany getting to Mass on time, the family slid into boots and coats and packed into the van to make their way to the church.
Their priest, Father Thomas, greeted them warmly as they entered the church. Ben went to the sacristy with the other altar boys to change into cassocks and divvy up serving duties.
In the middle of the Mass, right after giving the Homily, Fr. Thomas called the congregation up to receive their ashes. Anna, though familiar with the ritual, felt a flutter of anticipation in her chest as she approached the altar. Even baby Pio got to participate in this one.
He marked their foreheads with ashes, exhorting each of them “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” Anna closed her eyes, feeling the rough texture of the ashes against her skin. It was a reminder of her mortality and a call to repentance. She silently prayed for the strength of will to keep her Lenten penances.
After the Mass, they returned home. They had decided to stay off of screens and have a prayerful day, but to take a walk together and pray the rosary. Anna helped her mother with Lily and Pio, and baked bread for their supper, which the adults would eat, too.
Later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, the family gathered around the dinner table. They broke their fast with a simple meal of pea soup and bread, thoroughly enjoying each bite.
As they shared stories of their day, Anna felt a deep sense of peace. The traditions of the Church held more meaning with each year as she grew. And as they cleared the table and prepared for bed, Anna knew that this Ash Wednesday had been a good start to her Lenten journey.
The End.
Access the Educational Ash Wednesday Printables
How to Access the Free Printable
- Drop your email in the box below.
- Check your inbox and click through to the PDF.
- Save it to your computer or phone.
- Print it off at home or at your local printer.
- For personal and non-profit use only. I get a lot of requests for parishes to use my printables. Thank you for asking and you are absolutely welcome to do so. Please consider donating if it is within your parish budget by using my Tip Jar, and please pray for me!
- Watermark free versions may be available on my Etsy shop.
Let’s See It!
I hope your family enjoys this freebie! I would love to see you using this printable. Be sure to tag me @kindlingwild and use #kindlingwild on social media.
Want more?
Would you like to purchase my Catholic Kids Lent Bundle with A is for Ashes Lenten Alphabet?
Simple click the link below to see the full details of the product and order it.
No time right now? Pin it for later!
If you liked this post, check out some of my recent posts:
Leave a Reply