Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, which Catholics believe is a time for penance, reflection and fasting to prepare for Jesus Christ’s resurrection and their redemption.

“It’s a special time to reflect our need to grow with our relationships with God,” said The Rev. Steven Knox of the Newman Catholic Student Center. “It’s kind of like a wake-up call to turn back to God.”

The season begins with Ash Wednesday, which originated in 900 B.C. and originally was called Day of Ashes. It was later termed Ash Wednesday because it begins 40 days before Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified, and it is the day when Catholics have their foreheads marked with the sign of the cross in ashes. The 40 days symbolize the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert for public life and resisting temptation.

“Lent is a preparation for Easter and the Resurrection,” said Knox. “It’s time to think of what I need to let go of for Christ to live more inside of me.”

To celebrate Lent, the Newman Catholic Student Center, 512 Normal Road, is organizing many events, starting with Ash Wednesday mass. After the later afternoon masses, the church will be serving Stone Soup, a vegetarian soup and bread meal for those fasting.

The Newman Center also is organizing a Lenten Works of Mercy project to give to the needy. For each week of Lent, donations will be given to a different group: Food will be given to the Salvation Army Food Pantry; water and juice to Safe Passage; clothing for women and children to the Pregnancy Consultation Center; toiletries to the DeKalb County Hospice and, in week five, Bibles, stationary and board games will be offered to the inmates in area correctional facilities.

During Lent, priests wear purple vestments at mass, symbolizing a need for God’s forgiveness, Knox said. Ashes come from blessed palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sundays.

Catholics also fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and receive ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of mortality, and those over 14 aren’t supposed to eat meat products on Fridays.

“The sign of the cross is for people willing to grow in a relationship with God and to enter into the Lenten season,” Knox said.

While receiving ashes, Catholics are told, “Remember, man is dust and unto dust you shall return,” which symbolizes the turn away from sin and the need to be faithful to the Gospel and to enter into the spirit of the season of Lent, Knox said.

Catholics also give something up during Lent, and the sacrifice should be for the good of the community, Knox said.

“It’s more of an individual type thing. Motivation about coming from the heart,” Knox said.