Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent that leads up to Good Friday and Easter. What to know about the day.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are known as obligatory days of abstinence. Children 14 and older are expected to abstain from meat. The observance of Ash Wednesday dates to the 11th century ...

On Ash Wednesday, worshipers are also supposed to fast, allowing themselves to have one meal during the day. Children and elderly people are usually exempt from fasting and giving up meat.