Trump releases message in observance of Ash Wednesday – One America Information Community

[ad_1] <img decoding="async" width="800" height="534" src="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Featured-Images-3-2.png" alt="(Background) US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walk across the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One following a weekend trip to Florida, in Washington, DC, on February 16, 2026. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images) / (R) People receive the sign of the cross in ashes on their forehead by a priest at St. Patricks Cathedral on Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2026 in New York City. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent, Christian's 40-day season of prayer, fasting and giving in preparation to honor what they believe is the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The cross which is placed on a worshiper's forehead by a priest indicates that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and is grieving and mourning for their sins. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)" class="wp-image-761596" srcset="https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Featured-Images-3-2.png 800w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Featured-Images-3-2-400x267.png 400w, https://www.oann.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Featured-Images-3-2-768x513.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"/> (Background) U.S. President Donald Trump and First Girl Melania Trump stroll throughout the South Garden of the White Home after arriving on Marine One following a weekend journey to Florida, in Washington, DC, on February 16, 2026. (Photograph by SAUL LOEB / AFP by way of Getty Pictures) / (R) Individuals obtain the signal of the cross in ashes on their brow by a priest at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Ash Wednesday on February 18, 2026 in New York Metropolis. (Photograph by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Pictures)

OAN Employees Katherine Mosack5:52 PM – Wednesday, February 18, 2026

President Donald Trump launched a White Home message in observance of Ash Wednesday, a solemn Christian and Catholic vacation marking the start of the Lenten season.

Trump mentioned he and First Girl Melania Trump joined thousands and thousands in the US and world wide to acknowledge the vacation on Wednesday.

“Each Ash Wednesday, Christians obtain ashes within the form of a cross on their foreheads as a visual reminder of our belonging to Jesus Christ and our enduring want for penance,” the president defined, referring to the Catholic idea of acknowledging and atoning for one’s sins. “For the following 40 days, in remembrance of Jesus’ 40 days of temptation within the desert, followers of Christ will pray, quick, and provides alms to deepen their religion, mirror on His redeeming Ardour and loss of life, and put together their hearts for the approaching Easter miracle.”

Within the liturgical calendar, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues for 40 days, not together with Sundays, main as much as Easter. The season is modeled after Jesus’ 40 days of fasting within the wilderness.

Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem forward of His crucifixion and resurrection. In lots of Christian traditions, palm branches from the earlier 12 months’s Palm Sunday are burned to create the ashes used for Ash Wednesday providers.

Trump emphasised the importance of Lent’s requires prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, which have lengthy been a part of American custom.

“From the Colonists who turned to prayer and fasting within the coronary heart of the Revolutionary Conflict to the unrivaled compassion and generosity of America’s church buildings, hospitals, and charitable establishments, these righteous acts of religion over the centuries have all the time stood on the middle of our id, our heritage, and our lifestyle,” he wrote.

The president’s assertion concluded with a reference to Mark 1:15, the verse by which Jesus started His public ministry and known as folks to repentance.

“This Ash Wednesday, as we bear in mind the Ardour and supreme sacrifice of Christ on the cross, we ship our greatest needs for a significant Lenten season,” Trump mentioned. “Above all, as we put together for the triumphant resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday—the best miracle within the historical past of mankind—we pause to recollect these sacred phrases: ‘That is the time of success. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and imagine within the Gospel.’”