Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will mark the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, March 5, at two Masses.

Archbishop Dolan will celebrate Mass with the faculty, staff and students at Thomas More High School, 2601 E. Morgan Ave., St. Francis, at 9 a.m. Later that evening, the archbishop will celebrate Mass at Christ King Parish, 2612 N. Swan Blvd., Wauwatosa, at 7 p.m.

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday with the marking of the forehead with blessed ashes made from the palms and branches used on last year's Palm Sunday. These ashes serve as a visible reminder of the Lenten emphasis on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These three aspects of Lent are meant to prepare the Christian for the celebration of the Lord's Resurrection on Easter.

Lent is a 40-day season that Christians observe in preparation for the celebration of Easter, which will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20. The word "Lent" comes from the Middle English word "lenten" which meant "springtime." Lent is the Church's spring - a time for renewal and a reminder of the new life of baptism.

The PDF below includes a list of Ash Wednesday events throughout the archdiocese.