In my religion class, we were all assigned a religious ritual to research and then tell the class about. My ritual is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday begins the forty day period during which Christians remember their sins, repent, and ask for forgiveness. The day before Ash Wednesday is Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras. It has evolved into a day of partying where everyone "sins". This is most commonly associated with the partying down in New Orleans. Most people do not recognize that the next day is Ash Wednesday, a day of penance for Christians. On Ash Wednesday, the historic churches mark the beginning of this period with a special service explaining the season, calling the people to repentance, signifying repentance with ashes, by which a cross is marked on the forehead of the penitent Christian. The ashes, which are placed on peoples forehead, represent mourning, repentance, and the judgement of God.
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