CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ash Wednesday is the start of holy season for Christians around the world.
It's a six week period of reflection, prayer and fasting leading up to the Easter holiday.
On Tuesday, many local catholic churches held palm burning ceremonies around Chicago in preparation for the day.
Ashes from those palms will be used to mark the sign of the cross on believers' foreheads.
For commuters who can't make it to church, you can receive ashes at O'Hare and Midway Airports as well as certain CTA stops throughout the day.
Ash Wednesday: Public Places handing out ashes
Lent is observed for 40 days as every Sunday is viewed as a celebration, ending with Easter Sunday on April 12.