Since the times of ancient Rome, some Christians have been wearing a smudge of ashes on their foreheads every year during the Day of Ashes, also known as Ash Wednesday. Churches around the world ...

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season for many Christians. In 2026, Ash Wednesday falls on Feb. 18, and Lent ends on April 2. The ashes, made from the previous year's Palm Sunday ...

Ash Wednesday is here, which means many Roman Catholics will eat certain foods and avoid others throughout the day. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period for Christians worldwide ...

If you notice people with ash‑marked crosses on their foreheads on Feb. 18, it’s because of Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent on the Christian calendar. Ash Wednesday falls the day after ...

Do Christians eat meat on Ash Wednesday? The answer is yes and no, depending on their denomination. Many Catholics do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday or any Fridays during Lent, the rule is ...

Ash Wednesday, in most Christian denominations, is the beginning of the Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday. It is observed with a service where the faithful are marked with ashes. Many adults, ...

Editor's note: This editorial, slightly modified, has appeared on previous Ash Wednesdays in this newspaper. To get a "black mark," we understand from the common lexicon, isn't a good thing — except ...

It's almost time for Lent, the 40-day period where the faithful practice repentance, fasting and prayer. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, with the marking of the cross in ash on the forehead, a common ...

The Christian observance of Ash Wednesday Feb. 18 this year and will mark the season of Lent, leading up to Easter. Lent is one of five key periods on the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with ...

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites…. anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden.” Find today’s readings here ...

While February always brings the celebration of Valentine's Day, in 2026, it will also usher in the beginning of the Lenten season. The dates of Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter change each year.

In 2026 Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The liturgical celebration is the start of the Lenten season for Catholics, which ends on Easter Sunday. Other Christian churches offer Ash Wednesday ...