Watch the Rev. Nathan Humphrey, former priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s Parish K Street in Washington DC, and the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, as they distributed ashes on Ash Wednesday 2013 at the Foggy Bottom Metro stop. More →

You receive ashes on your forehead “to remember that life is short … you come from dust and you will return to dust,” says Julie Bringman, director of Sunday night ministries at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC. More →

The Catholic peace movement Pax Christi USA met outside the White House for prayers of repentance for war. More →

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent for many Christans, and the imposition of ashes can serve as a reminder of human frailty, a public sign of religious faith, and an expression of pastoral care. More →

Western Christians begin the 40 day Lenten season with a priest making the sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads. Rev. William Tully of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in New York talks about the significance of the ashes and of Lent. More →