Ash Wednesday marks beginning of Christian season of Lent

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Christians are marking Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent.

It's the 40-day period of prayer, self-sacrifice, and acts of charity in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

The Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, marked the day by distributing food outside Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Manhattan.

He then celebrated Mass and distribute ashes at Bedford Correctional Facility.

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