Millions of Catholics across the globe marked the beginning of Lent on Wednesday with the observance of Ash Wednesday, receiving ashes on their foreheads in the shape of a cross as a public sign of repentance and faith.
In churches from bustling cities to remote villages, worshippers gathered for Mass and prayer services, where clergy traced the cross with ashes—traditionally made from burned palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations.
As the ashes were imposed, ministers repeated the solemn reminder: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The ritual signals the start of the 40-day Lenten season, a period of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving leading up to Easter.
For members of the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, the day carries deep spiritual significance, calling believers to reflection, repentance, and renewal.
Although Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, it remains one of the most widely attended liturgical celebrations of the year, with many faithful making time before or after work to receive ashes.
Church leaders worldwide have encouraged the faithful to use the Lenten season as an opportunity for spiritual growth, acts of charity, and reconciliation.
The visible mark of ashes, often worn throughout the day, stands as a public expression of humility and a reminder of human mortality, setting the tone for the solemn weeks leading to Easter.
