Can children who have not received their First Communion get ashes?

This Wednesday, March 5th is Ash Wednesday. 

Yes, children can receive ashes. Ashes are a sign of repentance, they remind us that Jesus died for us and that because we are sinners need to repent for our sins in order to be united with Him in heaven. In the Middle Ages, sinners were marked publicly and were required to do public works of penance to make up for their sins. They wore "sack cloth and ashes" for a proscribed period of time as penance. Thank goodness we don't have to do that anymore! But we are still marked with ashes on that day. The ashes also remind us that we come from dust and to dust we will return.

But because ashes are a sign of our sinfulness, Fr. Craig responded that he typically doesn't give ashes to infants or toddlers since they have not had the occasion to sin greatly. However, in some cultures, having your baby receive ashes is very important, so exceptions are made. 

The day also marks the beginning of the season of Lent.