LENT

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. 
Ash Wednesday is a day of universal fast and 
abstinence in the church.  This day ashes are 
blessed and imposed after the homily.   These 
ashes are of branches of the olive tree, or,
according to custom, of the palm tree or other 
trees, which have been blessed the previous 
year.  Apart from Mass, a liturgy of the Word 
precedes the rite of blessing, concluding with
general intercessions, the Lord's  Prayer, and a 
hymn.  The ordinary minister for the blessing of 
ashes is a priest or deacon.  Others (e.g., special 
ministers of communion) may assist with the 
imposition of ashes where there is genuine 
need,  especially for the sick and shut-ins.  One of 
the following formulas is used:

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.
or
Remember, you are dust, and to dust you will return

For more information about Lent follow the link.  
By clicking on the picture.

http://www.catholic.org/clife/lent/faq.php