Ash Wednesday is one of the most attended mass days of the year even though it is not a day of obligation. In the older days, it was said that the ashes represented an outward symbol on our inward repentance. It is also like our marking as a christian disciple of Christ. It is to give us courage, like we receive during Confirmation when we receive our "battle gear" to take on the world as His disciples.

In Joan of Arcadia:
The symbol in Joan to "nudge" Joan and her mother together and to give them courage to become close again were the paintings. It reminded her what had to be done, like the ashes are a reminder of our repentance and journey.

What "battle gear" are we given during our lenten journey besides ashes?