Ash Wednesday Memes For Catholics Who Aren't Giving Up Memes For Lent

Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor

Feb 18, 2026 1:00 PM EST

Happy Ash Wednesday! Today is the day Catholics worldwide will go about their daily business with a smudge of dirt on their forehead, and I think that's beautiful. I'm from one of the Protestant capitals of the world, so I did not know many Catholics when I was growing up. When I saw girls at school with ash on their foreheads, I assumed they had done it themselves with smoky eyeshadow. It wasn't until I went to college that I met more Catholics than I had ever known, and learned all about their customs. Who knew that not every communion was grocery store crackers and grape juice?

Even though I am not Catholic myself, I respect Lent. It gives you an opportunity to revisit your New Year's Resolutions, but for God this time! God is much more motivational than the dawn of a new year. Not to mention, giving up something for 40 days is not that long. I think that basically anyone can give up anything for 40 days if they really want to. If you can't give up something for 40 days, you might have a problem, and Lent allows you to challenge yourself and work through your weaknesses. If you are dawning ash on your forehead today, these Ash Wednesday memes will give your dusty self some laughs.

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01

via ElJefe2020

It's not optional
02

via ElJefe2020

Who is the Patron Saint of memes? Can somebody get on that?
03

via TerrybleT

Lotion up before going to Church so the priest doesn't say, "Haven't you already been ashed?"
04

via hotguano

Fun Fact: Lent is the only reason that the McDonald's Filet-O-Fish sandwich exists
05

via langlang3000

Technically, this is true!
06

via JonathanRobberts

Shop smart, shop S-Mart
07

via smalbean

Tag yourself, I'm The Dripster
08

via @Pale_0ntologist

We should make this an official Jewish holiday at this point
09

via @MikeBeauvais

Did we ever figure out if Mark Wahlberg's 40-Day Challenge was actually Lent? Or if he proposed a competitor to Lent?
10

via @Buncahn

You are dust!
11

via @theskyscribe

Eat all of the meats while you can
12

via @_miaeliz

He's not your husband
13

via @BeschlossDC

I was today years old when I learned that Elizabeth Taylor starred in an Ash Wednesday movie. There's really a movie for every holiday!
14

via @maggiemphillips
15

via @ClubConcrave
16

via @RirhaithB

Chim Chiminiy!
17

via @ClubConcrave

Which Conclave (2024) character would you like to ash you?
18

via @NikkiMcR
19

via @fuglibetty

There's so much to celebrate right now
20

via @equine__dentist