PHOTOS: Ash Wednesday in Chicago

Commuters were able to receive ashes Wednesday at some train stations, platforms and at O’Hare and Midway airports.

A commuter receives ashes Wednesday at Union Station from Bernadette Gibson, director of pastoral care at Old St. Patrick's Church. — A commuter receives ashes Wednesday at Union Station from Bernadette Gibson, director of pastoral care at Old St. Patrick’s Church.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of repentance for Western Christians.

Some Christians have ashes applied to their foreheads in the shape of a cross as an outward sign of their faith.

Churches throughout the Chicago area distributed ashes on Wednesday. Commuters also were able to receive ashes at some train stations, platforms and at O’Hare and Midway airports.

Bernadette Gibson, director of pastoral care at Old St. Patricks applies ash in the sign of the cross to a commuter on Ash Wednesday at Union Station, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Bernadette Gibson, director of pastoral care at Old St. Patricks applies ash in the sign of the cross to a young boy on Ash Wednesday at Union Station, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

A commuter receives the sign of the cross from Bernadette Gibson, director of pastoral care at Old St. Patricks, on Ash Wednesday at Union Station, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.

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