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Subscribe to RSSMardi Gras is underway as Fat Tuesday is celebrated in New Orleans. NBC's Jay Gray reports.
In New Orleans and other cities around the world, millions of people dressed up in elaborate costumes, watched parades, listened to music and partied the day away to celebrate Fat Tuesday, a period of revelry before Lent on the calendar for Roman Catholics and other Christians.
Though better known for all of the wild secular celebrations, Mardi Gras and Carnival ultimately give way to a more calm religious period for many Christians known as Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent's some 40 days of fasting and repentance before Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday signifies penance and reflection, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and also symbolizes Christians’ dependence upon God's mercy and forgiveness.
See an article on Lent and Ash Wednesday on phillyburbs.com
The Ash Wednesday tradition is rooted in Old Testament scripture, in which the king of Nineveh rose from his throne, wrapped himself in sackcloth and sat in ashes to signify repentance.
In Roman Catholic churches, palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus Christ's return to Jerusalem, are burned to produce ashes. The ashes are a reminder that life on Earth ends.
During Ash Wednesday mass, a worshiper receives the ashes in the shape of a cross on the forehead, a cleric typically says, "Remember man is dust, and unto dust you shall return."
It is believed that Ash Wednesday observances began in the Catholic Church as early as 960. The burning of palm fronds became a tradition beginning in the 12th century.
Ash Wednesday is not considered a holy day of obligation, but is one of the most important days in Lent.
Christians are asked to give something up for Lent, often alcohol or another indulgence, starting on Ash Wednesday through Lent.
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Anything goes if it goes in the name of a religion.
Religion is for the weak minded.
Actually, Christianity, in particular Catholicism, is responsible for the present day university system. During the barbarian raids of Europe, Christian monks preserved literary and philosophical works by copying them down. You really should learn some history so you can appreciate how intellectual faith really is. Some of the earliest scientists in their respective fields were Catholic priests, such as Mendel. The way you address religion is anti-intellectual and demeaning.
Good luck to all practitioners of Lent! I'm giving up my Saturday afternoon beeeeer. I hope I have the discipline to stay off the amber nectar for 40 days. I always fall off the wagon after St. Paddy's day.
I am going into a resturant today and ordering a steak with a side of steak and an extra helping of chicken fingers. An excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount al la Jesus Christ:
Matthew 6:16-18
"When YOU are fasting, stop becoming sad-faced like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 17 But you, when fasting, grease your head and wash your face, 18 that you may appear to be fasting, not to men, but to your Father who is in secrecy; then your Father who is looking on in secrecy will repay you."
Eating lots of fish and getting an ashy swash on your forehead...oh my.
Mark 7:8
"Letting go the commandment of God, YOU hold fast the tradition of men."
I'm going to PROVE my love for the Christ Child by going without a single Hershey Kiss until Easter! I know....my sacrifice is far to great, but it is something I simply must do. I don't expect other to follow in my footsteps, this path is not for everyone. However, I will do what I must in order to get closer to God. Going without chocolate from now till Easter is = to being nailed to a cross.
@msnbc.com staff
Although traditionally Lent meant giving up an indulgence, you can also do extra or give more than regularly.. for example, start helping at a food pantry, give to charity, etc.