Ash Wednesday falls on March 5 this year, marking the start of Lent. Here's why some people wear ashes on their foreheads during the day.

Catholics receive ashes on their forehead from Bishop Mark J. Seitz, who conducted a worship service on Ash Wednesday at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent. Here's everything to know about why it is celebrated by Christians, where to get the ashes and more.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5.

Students at Saint Alphonsus Liguori Catholic School in Prospect Heights helped prepare the way for Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent with the burning of blessed palms Tuesday outside the school.

What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday — also known as the Day of Ashes — is a day of repentance observed by most Christian denominations that begins the Lentinan season leading up to Easter.

In 2024, Ash Wednesday arrived early in the season, falling on Feb. 14, which is also Valentine's Day. This year, in 2025, Ash Wednesday is recognized nearly a month later on Wednesday, March 5.

Patty MacDonald of Bow receives ashes from St. Andrew’ s Church Rector Reed Loy in front of the church on Main Street in Hopkinton on Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

The observance begins on Ash Wednesday, a day in which many Christians attend a church service and receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads. The gesture dates back thousands of ...