Ash Wednesday, commonly known as the Day of Ashes, ushers in Lent, a trying but ultimately inspiring season.
If you’ve been looking for inspiring quotations for Ash Wednesday, you’ll love this beautiful selection of 100 sayings.
To give you a special experience, I’ve gathered the greatest and most motivational quotations from many web sources!
Continue reading!
10 Best Ash Wednesday Quotes
In the Roman Catholic Church, ashes signify impending death. Here are my 10 best quotes for this holiday:
1. “Ash Wednesday is full of joy… The source of all sorrow is the illusion that of ourselves we are anything but dust.” – Thomas Merton
2. “Lent is a call to renew a commitment grown dull, perhaps, by a life more marked by routine than by reflection.” – Joan Chittister
3. “We are certainly dust – but we are valuable dust.” – Aundi Kolber
4. “Wear your ashes as a proud witness to your belief in Christ, answer any questions that come, and you just might inspire someone else to start his or her own faith journey.” – J. Beckmann
5. “The ashes mean I’m a sinner. The cross means I have a Savior.” – Fr. Mike Schmitz
6. “Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ; discipline your body; do not pamper yourself, but love fasting.” – Saint Benedict
7. “Even the darkest moments of the liturgy are filled with joy, and, the beginning of the Lenten fast, is a day of happiness, a Christian feast.” – Thomas Merton
8. “Lent comes providentially to reawaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.” – Pope Francis
9. “As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst… Repent and believe.” – Blessed Teresa of Calcutta
10. “There’s something about it that makes sense, Lent. You give something up, and everything’s more joyful.” – Elaine Stritch
Inspirational Quotes For Ash Wednesday
These Ash Wednesday quotes will inspire you to embrace Lent:
1. “Seek a relationship when you pray, not answers. You won’t always find answers, but you will always find Jesus.” – Father Mike Schmitz
2. “To repent means to “turn around.” Good Ash Wednesday advice. Turn around from our illusion of self–sufficiency and face God, which means facing the truth of who we are. This is a day to turn around and confess that we get it: one day we will once again be ashes.” – Paul E. Hoffman
3. “We can feel a little funny with ashes on our foreheads, but that’s how we mark the start of Lent. Ashes don’t say we’re holy. They say we’re sinners. They don’t say we’re perfect, only that we’re willing to try. They don’t say we’re models of religiosity, but they do say we belong. In today’s world, that says a lot.” – Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, RSM
4. “We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive his poured–out life, and being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.” – Elisabeth Elliot
5. “Effective prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God, not a technique for acquiring blessings.” – D. A. Carson
6. “We are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – Pope Saint John Paul II
7. “By inviting us through the discipline of Lent to tread the paths of love and hope marked out by Christ, the Church makes us realize that the Christian life involves detachment from superfluous goods, and the acceptance of a poverty which sets us free, and enables us to discover God’s presence and to welcome our brothers and sisters with an ever more active solidarity and in an ever wider fellowship.” – Pope Saint John Paul II
8. “Because these wings are no longer wings to fly, but merely vans to beat the air. The air which is now thoroughly small and dry; smaller and dryer than the will. Teach us to care and not to care, teach us to sit still.” – T.S. Eliot (Ash Wednesday)
9. “Receive this cross of ash upon your brow brought from the burning of Palm Sunday’s cross; the forests of the world are burning now, and you make late repentance for the loss. But all the trees of God would clap their hands, the very stones themselves would shout and sing, if you could covenant to love these lands and recognize in Christ their lord and king. He sees the slow destruction of those trees. He weeps to see the ancient places burn, and still you make what purchases you please, and still to dust and ashes you return. But Hope could rise from ashes even now, beginning with this sign upon your brow.” ― Malcolm Guite
10. “Ash Wednesday is a time to reflect and share our thanks, for this is the time that we remember the greatest sacrifice.”
11. “No place of grace for those who avoid the Face. No time to rejoice for those who walk among noise and deny the Voice.” – T.S. Eliot
12. “If you want to see what love looks like, go to the cross.” – D. A. Carson
13. “In this brief transit where the dreams cross the dream–crossed twilight between birth and dying, Ash Wednesday.” – T.S. Eliot
14. “I leave marveling at how simple and sublime is this envelope of the soul, which one day returns to dust, dust, only dust.” – Joyce Rupp
15. “Today is Ash Wednesday, a day when we contemplate our mortality.”
16. “Pray for those who chose and oppose.” ― T.S. Eliot
17. “Nothing great is ever achieved without much perseverance.” – St. Catherine of Siena
18. “Ash Wednesday should not be the only day where people can immediately tell that you are Christian; your actions should make it crystal clear all throughout the year. There is no greater compliment than for people to be able to tell that you belong to Christ.” – J. Beckmann
19. “This Lent is the perfect time to be a living witness to the gospel, but that witness should continue even after Easter. That does not mean that you should give up coffee for the rest of your life or that you should never spend another Saturday morning watching television, but it does mean that our desire to make sacrifices out of love for Jesus shouldn’t end just because Lent does.” – J. Beckmann
Ash Wednesday Quotes Bible
My collection also brings these brilliant Ash Wednesday quotes inspired by Bible verses.
They can also be used as Ash Wednesday messages you’ll share with your nearest and dearest:
1. “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:9
2. “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” – Job 42:5–6
3. “Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self–control.” – 1 Corinthians, 7:5
4. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter, 3:9
5. “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.” – Ecclesiastes, 3:20
6. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” – Genesis, 2:7
7. “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” – Matthew, 6:1–18
8. “And the Lord said to him, ‘Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.’” – Ezekiel, 9:4
9. “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John, 2:2
10. “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19
11. “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.” – Matthew 11:21
12. “And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.” – Matthew 4:2
13. “Behold, you fast for contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist you do not fast like you do today to make your voice heard on high. “Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed and for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD? “Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?” – Isaiah 58:4–6
14. “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:1–2
15. “Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up the cross each day, and follow in my steps.” – Luke 9:23
16. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17
17. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” – Hebrews 12:28
Quotes About Ash Wednesday
Lent is a truly challenging but inspirational period. Let’s take a look at these brilliant Ash Wednesday quotes:
1. “During Lent, let us find concrete ways to overcome our indifference.” – Pope Francis
2. “Lent is not just a period of repentance, it is an opportunity for repentance, a period that reminds us of our daily duties towards holiness as a global family.”
3. “Some people think that having ash on your forehead is ridiculous. But I am neither ashamed or afraid because the ashes remind me that I have to someday pass away and reunite with my creator.” – Walter Burns
4. “Lent is a time of going very deeply into ourselves… What is it that stands between us and God? Between us and our brothers and sisters? Between us and life, the life of the Spirit? Whatever it is, let us relentlessly tear it out, without a moment’s hesitation.” – Catherine Doherty
5. “Prayer strikes the winning blow; service is simply picking up the pieces.” – S.D. Gordon
6. “Why does the Church place ashes on our foreheads today? Why does she remind us of death? Death which is the effect of sin! Why?…To prepare us for Christ’s Passover. For the paschal mystery of the Redeemer of the world. Paschal mystery means what we profess in the Creed: “On the third day he rose again”!…Yes. Today we need to hear the “you are dust and to dust you will return” of Ash Wednesday, so that the definitive truth of the Gospel, the truth about the Resurrection, will unfold before us: believe in the Gospel.” – Pope Saint John Paul II
7. “I’m a sinner. I don’t always love God as strongly as I could or as directly as I should. Ash Wednesday reminds me that it is only through God that I have life; He gave it to me. God forgives. He loves. And He gives this sinner a second chance. Put simply: my God kicks ash.” – Mark Hart
8. “The real question of the Lenten season is how will I clear out the junk and garbage in my life so that I can be restored to God in some fresh way? What are the disciplines that will open up space for God to create a clean heart and new spirit in me?” – Ruth Haley Barton
9. “Each of us has a vision of good and of evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is good… Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place.” – Pope Francis
10. “Lent – remembering to live life graciously, that is, with grace.” – Sr. Marcelline Koch
11. “Prayer is where the action is.” – John Wesley
12. “Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ.” – Pope John Paul
13. “The most important thing a born–again Christian can do is to pray.” – Chuck Smith
14. “With this sunrise somehow I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be… Have faith, the light seemed to announce.” – Ethan Hawke
15. “A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.” – Pope Francis
16. “Nothing, how little so ever it be, if it is suffered for God’s sake, can pass without merit in the sight of God.” – Thomas Kempis
17. “You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.” –A.J. Gordon
18. “Ash Wednesday is a day that reminds us we are not here forever, and challenges us to live the very best every day.”
19. “Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God.” – Chuck Smith
20. “Lenten fasts make me feel better, stronger, and more active than ever.” – Catherine of Genoa
Short Ash Wednesday Quotes
If you’re looking for short Ash Wednesday quotes, be sure to check out these:
1. “Lent is the autumn of the spiritual life during which we gather fruit to keep us going for the rest of the year.” – St. Francis De Sales
2. “Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Make for it two wings: fasting and almsgiving.” – St. Augustine
3. “Fasting makes sense if it really chips away at our security and, as a consequence, benefits someone else, if it helps us cultivate the style of the good Samaritan, who bent down to his brother in need and took care of him.” – Pope Francis
4. “God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy.” – Pope Francis
5. “Apart from the cross, there is no other ladder by which we may go to heaven.” – St. Rose of Lima
6. “During these 40 days, let me put away all my pride. Let me change my heart and give up all that is not good within me. Let me love God with all that I am and all that I have.” – Genesis Grain
7. “The goal of fasting is inner unity. This means hearing, but not with the ear; hearing, but not with understanding; it is hearing with the spirit, with your whole being.” – Father Thomas Merton
8. “Fasting cleanses the soul, raises the mind, subjects one’s flesh to the spirit, renders the heart contrite and humble scatters the clouds of concupiscence, quenches the fire of lust, kindles the true light of chastity.” – St. Augustine
9. “Lenten practices of giving up pleasures are a good reminder that the purpose of life is not pleasure. The purpose of life is to attain a perfect life, all truth and undying ecstatic love –which is the definition of God. In pursuing that happiness, we find happiness.” – Fulton J. Sheen
10. “Everything in life has its own time. There is time to celebrate and there is time to mourn. This is the time for reflection and transformation. Let us look within and change into what we ought to be.” – Aaron Saul
11. “You could say that prayer without fasting is like boxing with one hand tied behind your back, and that fasting without prayer is, well, dieting.” – Matt Fradd
12. “Have patience with all things, but first of all with yourself.” – St. Francis de Sales
13. “Unless there is Good Friday in your life, there can be no Easter Sunday.” – Fulton J. Sheen
14. “It is not just about giving up our favorite food but it’s about going further and giving up things like hatred and unforgiveness. You need to clean your heart and prepare yourself for purity.” – Amanda Jobs
15. “Remember that Lent and Ash Wednesday are not just about putting away the bad things. It is more about creating good things and helping the poor and the needy, being kind to people, and much more.” – Jacob Winters
16. “As you mourn your sins and weaknesses this Ash Wednesday through fasting, mourning, and weeping, may you be truly transformed from your heart.” – John Tribes
17. “Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy, if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.” – St. Peter Chrysologus
18. “Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One.” – Pope Benedict XVI
19. “Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: Who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life.” – Pope Benedict XVI
20. “Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.” – Dallas Willard
Ash Wednesday Prayers
This section brings Ash Wednesday prayers and Ash Wednesday wishes for your special people:
1. “O lord, make this Lenten season different from the other ones. Let me find you again. Amen.” – Henri Nouwen
2. “Father, thank you, for the ashes on our forehead do not symbolize our ultimate reality. We might have been formed from the dust, but our bodies, our spirits, ourselves, await beautiful redemption and the restoration of all things. Help us wait and look forward to that day, and let it come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.”
3. “Loving God, today marks the beginning of a period of inner reflection and examination. Father, the days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that houses Your Holy Spirit. This special period invites me to examine my life through our Lord Jesus Christ’s eyes and the truth and reality of your love embodied. Father, give me the grace to enter the atmosphere of these days with anticipation of our meeting.”
4. “Heavenly Father, Blessed One, have mercy on us. Lord, as we repent our sins to You. We have been deficient in Your glory and without your mercy and grace, we would be non–existent. Father, we repent now. Lord, as we embark on this Lenten season, be close to us. Help us Lord, through Your Holy Spirit, to believe in what is right and in repentance for our sin.”
5. “Most gracious God we come praying on this Ash Wednesday as we remember our Lord Jesus’ trek toward Calvary. Thank you for such love, amen.”
6. “Thank you, Father, that Easter is arriving! Death has no power, no victory, because of Jesus! Glory and honor and praise be to His Name! Lord, thank you for rescuing us. Help us appreciate both the importance and the joy of this season in our hearts as we move through the next several weeks. Help us bear the good fruit of Your Spirit.”
7. “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. All that is not of God must die. Also, all that is crushed will be made whole again. Lord, all that is lost will be found again. Father, may we repent of the ways that we did not serve you. Amen.”
8. “Let us be devoted to living out Your will on earth, to be more concerned with storing up treasures in Heaven than on earth. Lead us, Lord, in the way we should go. Direct our steps and fulfill Your plans for our lives. Let our feet run swiftly to follow after You.”
9. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”
10. “Praying with all who enter into a special fast and spiritual sobriety today on Ash Wednesday. May we all come before our Savior in humility.”
11. “Today is the start of the Lenten season, time to give time to the one who made us and sacrificed Himself for us. On the first day of Lent, let us remind ourselves that we are here to do good to the people around us. Happy Ash Wednesday.”
12. “Repent and believe in the gospel. A Blessed Ash Wednesday to all my fellow Catholics. May God bless you. Amen.”
13. “Wash me with the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice given for my sins. Wash me so you see His righteousness when you look at me, instead of the stain of my sin and guilt. Give me a fresh start, making me whole and pure so I can come into your presence, be in fellowship with you. “
14. “Merciful God, release us from the time of trial and oppression, that we may witness to the eternal hope of grief becoming joy and life rising from death. Amen.”
Final Thoughts
Everything for today, thank you!
I appreciate you reading my selection of 100 quotations for Ash Wednesday.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please spread the word to your friends and family on social media. Together, let’s celebrate the start of Lent!
Holy week, the last week of Lent and the most holy week, also serves as a reminder of God’s enormous love for us as Easter approaches. It gives people fresh hope.
Our Savior’s love provides us new strength as we celebrate the triumph over sin and death.
God bless you!
Up till then!
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