Joshua Clemens holds his 11-month-old son, Thomas, as the Rev. Eric Gruber, pastor of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley in Summit Hill, places a cross of ashes on his forehead during Ash Wednesday services Wednesday morning. Ash Wednesday is a day which officially starts the beginning of the Lenten season observed by Christians around the world. The 40-day observance is a period of prayer, fasting and sacrifice that leads to the vigil of Easter, which will be celebrated this year on April 5. The ashes represent a token of penitence and mortality. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS

Above: The Rev. Eric Gruber, pastor of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley in Summit Hill, places a cross of ashes on Jack Reiber’s forehead during Ash Wednesday services Wednesday morning.

Left: Joshua Clemens holds his 11-month-old son, Thomas, as the Rev. Eric Gruber, pastor of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley in Summit Hill, places a cross of ashes on his forehead during Ash Wednesday services Wednesday morning. Ash Wednesday is a day which officially starts the beginning of the Lenten season observed by Christians around the world. The 40-day observance is a period of prayer, fasting and sacrifice that leads to the vigil of Easter, which will be celebrated this year on April 5. The ashes represent a token of penitence and mortality. AMY MILLER/TIMES NEWS