Around the world today Catholics will flock to Ash Wednesday services and receive ashes on their foreheads, marking the first day of the season of Lent, a time of repentance and reflection.
The photo essay below depicts the shared experience of Catholics everywhere. OC Catholic will continue to post photos as they are received.
Father Ramzi Sidawi, principal of the Terra Santa High School, places ashes on the heads of students Feb. 10 during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Savior’s Parish in Jerusalem’s Old City. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)
A priest uses ashes to mark a cross on the forehead of a student Feb. 10 during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Savior’s Parish in Jerusalem’s Old City. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)
A student with a cross marked on her forehead smiles Feb. 10 during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Savior’s Parish in Jerusalem’s Old City. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)
Eighth-grade religious education students place dried palms into a fire Feb. 9 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Lindenhurst, N.Y. Ashes from the fire were to be used in Ash Wednesday services at the parish the next day, the first day of the penitential season of Lent. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)
People attend a morning Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 10 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Glendale, Ariz. Ash Wednesday marked the start of Lent, a season of sacrifice, prayer and charity. (CNS photo/Nancy Wiechec)
Glass cups containing ashes are seen on an altar between Ash Wednesday services Feb. 10 at St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, N.Y. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz, Long Island Catholic)
Norbertine Father Michael Weber traces a cross with ashes on the forehead of 6-week-old Every Braden, daughter of Erica Braden, during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 10 at Holy Cross Church in Bay Settlement, Wis. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent. (CNS photo/Sam Lucero, The Compass)
Employees pray during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb.10 in the chapel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops headquarters in Washington. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Bob Roller)
A student from Lumen Christi Catholic School in Indianapolis sings during Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 10 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Sean Gallagher/The Criterion)
Pope Francis delivers his blessing at the conclusion of Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 10. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Father Thomas Kommers of St. Joseph Church in Red Wing, Minn., puts palms in a bowl and burns them during an Ash Wednesday prayer service Feb. 10. (CNS photo/Dave Hrbacek, The Catholic Spirit)
A priest places ashes on the head of a student Feb. 10 during Ash Wednesday Mass at St. Savior’s Parish in Jersualem’s Old City. Catholics around the world began the penitential season of Lent with prayer, fasting and the mark of ashes. (CNS photo/Debbie Hill)