The President and First Lady issued a message to mark Ash Wednesday, joining Christians in the United States and worldwide in observing the beginning of Lent. The statement highlighted Ash Wednesday as "a solemn day of prayer and repentance and the beginning of the Lenten season."
In their message, they noted that on Ash Wednesday, Christians receive ashes in the shape of a cross on their foreheads as a sign of belonging to Jesus Christ and a reminder of the need for penance. They explained that over the next 40 days, which mirror Jesus’ time in the desert, Christians will engage in prayer, fasting, and giving alms to deepen their faith and prepare for Easter.
The message also connected these religious practices to American history. It stated: "As the holy season of Lent begins, we are reminded that the practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving have been foundational to our strength from the earliest days of our national story. From the Colonists who turned to prayer and fasting in the heart of the Revolutionary War to the unmatched compassion and generosity of America’s churches, hospitals, and charitable institutions, these righteous acts of faith over the centuries have always stood at the center of our identity, our heritage, and our way of life."
The President concluded by offering best wishes for Lent: "This Ash Wednesday, as we remember the Passion and ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we send our best wishes for a meaningful Lenten season. Above all, as we prepare for the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday—the greatest miracle in the history of mankind—we pause to remember those sacred words: 'This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.'"
