Ash Wednesday begins the Christian season of Lent. The 6-week period is a tectonic time of year leading up to Easter. What we know on date, meaning and more.

Before Easter arrives, many Christians of different denominations across Houston will participate in around 40 days of Lent – and it all starts with Ash Wednesday. The holiday, in which some practicing receive ash on their foreheads in the shape of a cross,

However, Easter falls much later than usual this year. While the holiday sometimes comes in March, it can take place anywhere from March 22 through April 25, and this year, it falls closer to the latter.