Wednesday, Feb. 18, is a Christian holy day called Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter on April 5.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in Western Christianity. Here's what ash means on Ash Wednesday as well as the history of how this tradition came to be.

Kosovo's religious diversity came to light this week as the Balkan nation's Christian and Muslim communities both embarked on a traditional period of fasting and spiritual reflection.

On Ash Wednesday, for the first time in months, clergy members were allowed inside the Broadview ICE facility, thanks to a lawsuit arguing the Department of Homeland Security violated religious

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich told immigrants that Trump administration deportation efforts had acquainted them with Ash Wednesday’s Scripture passage about practicing faith in secret.

Allentown Bishop Alfred A. Schlert places ashes on the foreheads of students during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown.

More than two dozen people sang hymns, prayed and protested on an Oxnard street corner on Feb. 18. Many wore ashes in the shape of a cross on their forehead. One woman carried a sign bearing Our Lady of Guadalupe.

St. John the Evangelist Church in Philadelphia offered Masses, brief liturgies with ashes and confessions over 11 hours Feb. 18, thanks to an army of volunteers and Franciscan friars.