Christians around the world are recognizing Ash Wednesday in 2023 as they prepare for the public worship of Lent which comes six and a half weeks before Easter.
Ash Wednesday dates back as far as the 11th century for Christians, especially Catholics, who receive ashes. The practice has a connection to an ancient Hebrew custom.
In Orange County, California, Chaplain Angela Song is seen reaching for a canister of ashes used to bless caregivers at the Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment at Providence St. Joseph Hospital.
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Chaplain Song places the ashes on the forehead of the receiver, who in this case is breast surgeon Michele Carpenter.
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In South America's La Paz, Bolivia a person receives ashes on their forehead during a Mass at the San Francisco Basilica.
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In Mexico City parishioners walk out from the the San Ipolito Catholic church with their foreheads marked with ash after attending a service there.
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