In the heart of downtown Sacramento, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament opened its doors to hundreds of worshippers on Ash Wednesday. Every pew and chair was filled as Catholics gathered to mark the beginning of Lent with solemn acts of penance and humility through the receiving of ashes on their foreheads.

Members of First United Methodist Church in Lexington attended a special Ash Wednesday service to receive ashes. For participants, placing ashes on the forehead is considered a sign of repentance. Wednesday also marks the first day of Lent, which occurs 40 days before Easter.

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

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and reflection in preparation of Easter.

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent in many Christian denominations. The 40-day period leads up to Holy Week, some of the most sacred days in the church

Ash Wednesday gets its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of penance.