"This week, Christians around the world will begin the Lenten Season with Ash Wednesday services and observations. The forty days of Lent (46 days inclusive of Sundays) run from February 18, 2026, to Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026. This year, the Lenten season coincides with Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which begins the evening of February 17, 2026, and ends on March 19, 2026. These are High Holy days for both traditions, a time for strengthening faith through self-reflection, fasting, and observance of other spiritual disciplines. This is a time of transformation focused on generosity, kindness and love with the expectation of deeper relationship with God. These focal points are accompanied by the call to action and justice......
The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is a reminder of our mortality, and an act of repentance. The reminder of our death is a reminder of the death of others, at a time when lives are experienced as expendable and some lives seem to be worth more than others. Our repentance in this season, the commitment to justice and the challenges of the world around us are a renewed call to action".
United Church of Christ, https://www.ucc.org/ashes-to-ashes/