Photo: John Greenwood Eudell Watts III is anointed with an ashen cross Wednesday morning at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island during one of the church's Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Christian year, marking the start of 40 days of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter.

Eudell Watts III is anointed with an ashen cross Wednesday morning at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rock Island during one of the church's Ash Wednesday services. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Christian year, marking the start of 40 days of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter.