On Ash Wednesday, observant Catholics receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that underscores human mortality. It is an obligatory day of fasting and abstinence for Catholics that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.

Thousands of Northeast Wisconsinites headed to church for Ash Wednesday. St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church in Oshkosh held four masses on Wednesday. Deacon John Ingala said they had about 1500 people come to church across the four masses and said that Ash Wednesday is usually one of their most well

Catholic devotees in Manila lined up outside Baclaran Church for Ash Wednesday, receiving ash crosses made from blessed palms, marking the start of Lent. View on euronews