• Pope Francis attends the Ash Wednesday mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 22, 2023. REUTERS / Guglielmo Mangiapane TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
    Pope Francis attends the Ash Wednesday mass at the Santa Sabina Basilica in Rome, Italy, February 22, 2023. REUTERS / Guglielmo Mangiapane TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
  • A priest sprinkles ash on the head of a woman at El Calvario parish in San Salvador. Ash Wednesday begins the Christian period of Lent. AFP
    A priest sprinkles ash on the head of a woman at El Calvario parish in San Salvador. Ash Wednesday begins the Christian period of Lent. AFP
  • A woman being helped by relatives after receiving communion during an Ash Wednesday mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua. AFP
    A woman being helped by relatives after receiving communion during an Ash Wednesday mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua. AFP
  • Migrants seeking asylum in the United States attend an Ash Wednesday mass in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
    Migrants seeking asylum in the United States attend an Ash Wednesday mass in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Reuters
  • Mass on Ash Wednesday in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw, Poland. EPA
    Mass on Ash Wednesday in the Temple of Divine Providence in Warsaw, Poland. EPA
  • Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington, during an Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC. Getty Images
    Cardinal Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Washington, during an Ash Wednesday Mass at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC. Getty Images
  • The Cristo Rey de la Justicia procession during the Catholic celebration of Ash Wednesday in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. AFP
    The Cristo Rey de la Justicia procession during the Catholic celebration of Ash Wednesday in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. AFP
  • George Castillo at Ash Wednesday Mass at St John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. AP
    George Castillo at Ash Wednesday Mass at St John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. AP
  • Ash Wednesday at Saint Patrick's Church in Chennai, India. EPA
    Ash Wednesday at Saint Patrick's Church in Chennai, India. EPA
  • An indigenous man with wreaths on Ash Wednesday in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. AFP
    An indigenous man with wreaths on Ash Wednesday in San Juan Sacatepequez, Guatemala. AFP
  • Catholics in the Philippines mark Ash Wednesday, the start of the Season of Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter. Getty Images
    Catholics in the Philippines mark Ash Wednesday, the start of the Season of Lent, which begins 40 days before Easter. Getty Images
  • Father Prince Xavier, right, celebrates mass at an Ash Wednesday service at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. AFP
    Father Prince Xavier, right, celebrates mass at an Ash Wednesday service at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad. AFP
  • A lay minister uses ashes to draw a cross on the forehead of a pupil at an elementary school in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Reuters
    A lay minister uses ashes to draw a cross on the forehead of a pupil at an elementary school in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Reuters
  • A flower seller with an ash cross on her forehead outside a church in downtown Manila, Philippines on Ash Wednesday. AP Photo
    A flower seller with an ash cross on her forehead outside a church in downtown Manila, Philippines on Ash Wednesday. AP Photo
  • A lay minister places ash on the forehead of a devotee during Ash Wednesday rites outside a church in downtown Manila, Philippines. AP Photo
    A lay minister places ash on the forehead of a devotee during Ash Wednesday rites outside a church in downtown Manila, Philippines. AP Photo
  • Filipino Catholics light candles at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images
    Filipino Catholics light candles at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images
  • A woman is marked with a symbol of the cross in ash at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad. AFP
    A woman is marked with a symbol of the cross in ash at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad. AFP
  • A Catholic woman at prayer on Ash Wednesday. Getty Images
    A Catholic woman at prayer on Ash Wednesday. Getty Images
  • Father Prince Xavier makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of a Christian believer at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad. AFP
    Father Prince Xavier makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of a Christian believer at Saint Anthony's Shrine Secunderabad. AFP
  • Lay ministers prepare to mark Filipino Catholics as they observe Ash Wednesday in Paranaque. Getty Images
    Lay ministers prepare to mark Filipino Catholics as they observe Ash Wednesday in Paranaque. Getty Images
  • Filipino Catholics in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images
    Filipino Catholics in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images
  • Filipino Catholics at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images
    Filipino Catholics at Baclaran Church in Paranaque, Metro Manila, Philippines. Getty Images

World

Catholics mark Ash Wednesday around the world - in pictures

From the Philippines to India, worshippers gather to reflect in preparation for Easter

The National

February 22, 2023

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Updated: February 23, 2023, 9:38 AM
Religion