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Lent is the time of preparation for the death of Christ on Good Friday and His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday when ashes, made by burning the blessed palms distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday, are placed onto a person's forehead with the Sign of the Cross whilst saying:

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel" or "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return".

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Lent is a time for abstinence, prayer, spiritual renewal, repentance and good works

 

Pope Benedict stated on Ash Wednesday evening:

"The reward for repentance and good works, “is not the admiration of others, but friendship with God and the grace that comes with it, a grace that gives peace and the strength to do good, to love even those who don’t deserve it and to forgive those who have offended us.”