On the first day of Lent, Christians on Twitter and Instagram were encouraged to upload pictures of themselves with ashes on their forehead using the hashtag "Ashtag."
Today's #chsocm tip: Take that #AshWednesday selfie and use #ashtag
It didn't take very long before the word began trending and thousands of images flooded social media.
Don't forget to take your selfie and #ashtag it today after you've received ashes.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops even asked people to share their selfies for an official album.
We're putting together an album of #AshWednesday photos. Share a pic of you with your ashes at media-relations@usccb.org.
Naturally, many of the first #ashtag selfies were taken by teens.
TURN UP FOR LENT #catholicgangordie #ashwednesday
@Schmity13 @spicy_topping @frzachk #ashtag #tweetingduringchurch #bestmassever
all ashed up #datash #ashtag➕
#AshTag
#AshTag @ZahnAlex @datfearfever
#ashtag #ashselfie
But soon, priests, pastors, nuns and other religious men and women started to appear in the #ashtag selfies.
Ash wednesday selfie with the one and only father Don! ✊
#ashtag
Father Jack's funny face #ashtag
Teachers at religious schools uploaded images of themselves with their students.
Post Ash Wednesday Mass. Love these kids. #ashtag
All Saints #Episcopal School, Tyler, Tx. #ashtag #AshWednesday #selfie #chscom
Before long, older men and women of faith started to participate.
Non-gloomy Youth Ministers! First stop on the Lenten journey! #ashtag #catholicstl
Love those red doors @trinitytville. #ashtag #dust #Episcopal #ashestogo #tctville #selfienation
Ash Wednesday proud to be Catholic #AshTag
And, eventually, priests, pastors, ministers, reverends and nuns started tweeting their own #ashtag selfies.
#ashtag one service completed two more to go
Me, the Vicar and Northlew Parish Church Choir. #ashtag #AshWednesday
I think we have the coolest Nuns in our office! #ashtag
Ash Wednesday. Final service of the day in Santa Margarita, 19:00. #AshWednesday
Staff currently in the office gathered for a spontaneous #ashtag selfie is Lent supposed to be so joyful?
Getting up for a 7am service, not so great. Having almost 20 people join me, pretty awesome. #ashtag #episcopal #ri
Retweet if you are ready to: Repent and believe. #AshWednesday
I don't usually post selfies, but when I do, they're ashtagged. #ashtag (Fr. Selvam got me good!)