NEW YORK — At the start of the Lenten season, Archbishop Ronald Hicks is inviting Catholics across the Archdiocese of New York to embrace the 40 days ahead as a time of renewal, prayer and deeper focus on God.

In a special message to the faithful of the archdiocese following the 7 a.m. Mass for Ash Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Archbishop Hicks reflected on the spiritual meaning of Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

“Today we’ve been marked with ashes and we begin this Lenten journey,” he said. “It’s this beautiful opportunity that every year we’re given to fast, to pray, and to give alms.”

The archbishop described Lent not simply as a season of sacrifice, but as a grace filled opportunity to return to what matters most. Through the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, he said, Catholics are invited to grow closer to God.

“Through it all, my hope, my prayer, for all of us, is that we can renew and strengthen our relationship with the Lord and keep God in the center of our lives,” he said.

Lent calls the faithful to repentance and conversion. Archbishop Hicks’s message centers on intentional spiritual growth, encouraging New Yorkers to use this sacred season to draw closer to Christ and recommit to living with God at the heart of their daily lives.