Ash Wednesday - Sroda Popielcowa (Popielec)
Because the spirit of gaiety ran high the previous day and evening, in the larger cities it sometimes carried over to the first day of Lent.  But in most parts of the country the penitential nature of the season quickly takes over.  The ashes placed on the fore-head of the faithful by the priest after Mass serve as a reminder of death and man's future destiny.  In some regions the older women play tricks on their friends on this day