MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. urged the Catholic faithful to reflect and renew everyone’s faith as they bear the sign of the cross in ash on their forehead on Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the penitential 40-day Lenten season.

“In observing Ash Wednesday, let us reflect and renew our faith,” President Marcos said on his official Facebook page.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday, when Jesus was resurrected. The ashes symbolize the mortality of the faithful.

President Marcos attended a mass early Wednesday in observance of Ash Wednesday and the 100th birthday of Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile. (PND)