Poles mark start of Lent

“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” priests told believers as they sprinkled the heads of the faithful with ash in a ceremony designed to inspire repentance.

Typically in Poland, the ashes used are those of twigs that were burned during the previous year's Palm Sunday.

Lent, a 40-day period and fasting which leads to Easter, is traditionally a time of self-denial and humility for believers. According to custom, Polish Christians do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday.

(jh/pk)