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STORY: Pope Benedict led the world's 1.3 billion Catholics into the 40-day Lenten season on Wednesday (February 22) urging them to observe proactive prayer, fasting, penitence and alms-giving.
Pope Benedict headed a procession from St. Anselmo Church to Santa Sabina - both on Rome's Aventine Hill - where he celebrated the Mass for Ash Wednesday.
The Ash Wednesday ceremonies mark the beginning of lent, a period of fasting and penitence done in remembrance of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus that leads up to Easter Sunday, this year being celebrated on April 8.
The day derives its name from the ritualistic rubbing, or anointing, of the faithful's forehead with ash.
During the ceremony, held at Rome's Sabina's Basilica, the pontiff pinched a bit of ash from a silver-colored bowl held out to him by an aide, then distributed the ashes to prelates, other clergy and worshippers, including children.
Following the tradition, the ash was blessed three times with holy water and incense before it was rubbed on heads of the faithful. The ash itself comes from the burning of the palm leaves used in last year's Palm Sunday celebration.
The ritual serves not only to remind the faithful of their mortality, but also to impress upon them the necessity at atoning for their sins as preparation for the renewal of Easter.
