The 40-day season of Lent began as Christian faithful around the world celebrated Ash Wednesday in preparation for Easter in a period for penance, reflection and fasting among those of the Catholic faith.

Many worshipers will receive the marking of the cross in ash on their foreheads on Wednesday, meant to show that a person belongs to Jesus Christ.

In the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday, the Rev. Edward Yuhas of St. James and St. Katharine Drexel parishes in Washington County begins collecting palm branches from