Marking the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday

ABOVE: Father Bobby Manso makes a cross on the forehead of Chris Janet out of ash during an Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau. BELOW: Father Bobby Manso gives his homily Wednesday. BOTTOM: Father Bobby Manso blesses ashes during an Ash Wednesday Mass on Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a religious observance for many Christian denominations during the 40 days before Easter Sunday. The cross serves as a celebration and reminder of human mortality and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God.