Christians Wear Ashes to Signify Start of Lenten Season

Churches in the area try to offer various times throughout the day to receive ashes

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Lent begins and people are heading to church to receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of this 40 day experience for Christians.

It includes fasting, almsgiving and prayer.

A pastor at Holy Cross Catholic Church says even though it’s not a holy day of obligation, he does enjoy seeing the higher than average attendance.

“Watching their expression and then seeing it out in public,” Father James Meyer said. “When I see people with the mark, that says that I believe that this is a beautiful way. It’s something that we try and strive to build upon because we know that we need help and Ash Wednesday is the beginning of a long journey of help.”

Churches in the area try to offer various times throughout the day to receive ashes.