It is applied by a priest during a morning mass, often along with a small blessing: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Many choose to keep it on all day. The ash cross marking observers’ foreheads is meant to represent mortality and penance for their sins.
Today, Christians use the holiday both to repent and reflect. This period is considered by Christians to be God's test of Jesus's spirituality and ability to withstand temptation. The holiday's length is an homage to Jesus Christ’s 40-day fast as he traveled through the wilderness after being baptized and before he began his ministry.
The origins of Lent trace to 325 CE, when it was more commonly used as a preparation phase for baptisms.
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