The Catholic Message Board

https://aleteia.org/2024/02/09/5-things ... wednesday/

ASH WEDNESDAY IS NOT A HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
ASHES REMIND US OF OUR MORTALITY
ASH WEDNESDAY IS A DAY OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
EASTER IS 46 DAYS AFTER ASH WEDNESDAY
SACKCLOTH WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF ASH WEDNESDAY

I only wish as many people came to Masses on Holy Days of Obligation as do on Ash Wednesday.

Ash Wednesday seems to have stayed present as important in the wider culture. It gets covered by the local news.