Actor Mark Wahlberg posted a video yesterday of himself and his wife with crosses of ash on their forehead, wishing his followers a happy Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day.
Here’s the post (click the video to watch):
“Happy Ash Wednesday to everybody, beginning of Lent,” he began his video message to his 8.3 million Instagram followers. “And also have a lovely Valentine, a lovely Valentine. God bless all you guys, and your significant others. And have a wonderful Lenten season and a wonderful Valentine’s. Love you daddy, miss you.”
Wahlberg was raised Catholic and has been public about his Catholic faith in recent years. He made a similar Ash Wednesday post last year. He was the M.C. of one of Pope Francis’ events in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September 2015, and in October 2016 he recorded a video about the importance of good priests for the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors in Boston.
His wife, Rhea Durham, is a successful model and converted to Catholicism in 2009 just before their wedding. Together they have four children.
Nonetheless, Wahlberg has been criticized for starring in the raunchy comedy film series Ted and appearing to support same-sex marriage.
[See also: Mark Wahlberg Calls for Priestly Vocations, Says Catholic Faith’s “My Anchor”]
[See also: Tom Cruise Was Almost a Catholic Priest, Until He Got Kicked Out of Seminary]