History of Ash Wednesday

February 28, 2006

ASH WEDNESDAY In the western church the first day of Lent is called Ash Wednesday from the ceremonial use of ashes, as a symbol of penitence, in the service prescribed for the day. The custom is still retained in the Roman Catholic Church as well as the Anglican, Episcopal and Lutheran Churches. The ashes, obtained…

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History of Mardi Gras

February 27, 2006
Mardi Gras

MARDI GRAS In French, Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday as a last "fling" prior to the 40 days of Lent which precede Easter. Lent is a word that comes from the Middle English word "lente" which means "springtime" – so named for the season of the year…

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History of St. Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2006

ST. VALENTINE’S DAY Valentine or Valentinus, is the name of at least three martyred saints. The most celebrated are the two martyrs whose festivals fall on February 14, the one, a Roman priest, the other, bishop of Terni. It would appear from the legends that both lived during the reign of the emperor Claudius (Gothicus);…

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