Today is called Ash Wednesday by many Christian faiths, and it marks the beginning of the Lenten season for those in particular religions throughout the world.

Lent runs for 40 days and symbolizes the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before his public ministry.

It is a time for Christians to take a spiritual inventory, said Roy Lanham, director of the Newman Catholic Center.

Lanham said on Ash Wednesday, Christians have ashes marked on their foreheads, symbolizing they are one with each other and the Lord. He said all Christians are rooted in the same things.

The purpose of the ashes is to make Christians think about how they live their lives and that they should remember God everyday, he said.

Lanham said Lent is a time for fasting and sacrifice, alms giving and prayer. The sacrifices Christians make during this time, like giving up beer or candy, are supposed to lead them to a greater spiritual conversion, turn Christians more to the Lord and help Christians live life more faithfully according to the Gospels, he said.

He said these sacrifices are meant to remind individuals of Jesus’ sacrifice for humanity.

Lanham said he loves the Lenten season because it gives Christians a chance to rekindle the need for God, and it symbolizes the movement of the season. Lent leads into Holy Week and Easter, which celebrates the Passion, death and resurrection of Jesus, he said.

Ash Wednesday is a day for Christians to strengthen their faith in God. It also is a prayerful day that is made holy by the people and their desire to partake in Ash Wednesday, Lanham said.

Masses will be held today at the Newman Catholic Center at noon, 4, 6 and 9 p.m. St. Charles Catholic Church also will hold mass at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The Wesley Foundation will have its routine 9:15 p.m. Communion service without ashes. The Wesley United Methodist Church will hold two services at 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with ashes. The First Presbyterian Church will hold its Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. The Lutheran Student Fellowship and Immanuel Lutheran Church will hold their weekly services at 7 p.m. with distribution of ashes.