NEW ORLEANS (AP) - It’s Ash Wednesday, beginning of the 40-day Lenten season and churches are holding Ash Wednesday masses.
The Lenten season is the holy and sacred period leading up to Easter on March 27.
Christians will be attending services to receive the crosses of ash throughout the day symbolize penance.
The next 40 days of fasting and prayer symbolize the days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before starting his ministry.
Several churches including First United Methodist in Baton Rouge and Munholland United Methodist in Metairie have set up mobile ash distribution sites.
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