Catholics and many Christians across New York City began the season of Lent Wednesday, receiving the mark of the cross in ashes on their foreheads.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40-day season of reflection, prayer and fasting leading up to Easter Sunday, which falls on April 5 this year.

What You Need To Know

Lent began Wednesday for Catholics and many Christians in New York City and runs until Easter Sunday, April 5

Archbishop Ron Hicks celebrated his first Ash Wednesday Mass in New York, encouraging prayer, fasting and charitable giving

Ash Wednesday marks the start of a 40-day period reflecting Jesus’ time fasting in the wilderness

Wednesday also marked a first for Archbishop Ron Hicks as New York’s Catholic leader. He celebrated an early morning Mass and reflected on the spiritual purpose of the season.

“Today, we are marked with ashes, and so begin this Lenten journey. And my question to you for this Lent is, what are you going to do and why are you going to do it,” Hicks said in his homily.

Hicks highlighted the season as being a time for almsgiving and noted opportunities locally for Catholics to do so, including participating in Catholic Charities’ “40 Cans” program, which encourages New Yorkers to donate 40 canned goods over the 40 days of Lent.

He also cited guidance from fellow Chicago native Pope Leo XIV: “If you’re thinking about giving up talking badly about people, he says this, ‘Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgment. Refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves.’ Instead, he said, ‘Let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates and in Christian communities.’”

During Lent, the faithful devote themselves to prayer and other devotions, as well as charitable deeds, fasting and other forms of self-discipline.

Observant Catholics traditionally abstain from meat on Fridays, and many participate in extra devotions such as the Stations of the Cross. They may also “give something up” for Lent, which can be anything that one finds difficult to do without.