It is a day of fasting, and the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches blessed on the previous year s Palm Sunday and placing them on the heads of participants to the words  Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,  or variant. 

Please note that this cultural observance may lead some customers to request personal time or for some staff to request scheduled time off.