Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church-February 6, 2008

The First Day of Lent:
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. (In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday.)

While Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season. READ MORE>>>

Catholic Calendar 2008Roman Catholic Liturgical Calendar

CARNIVAL
from WIKIPEDIA, the free Encyclopedia

Carnival is a festival season. It occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February or March. It typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations.

Carnival is mostly associated with Roman Catholic and, to a lesser extent, Eastern Orthodox Christians; Protestant areas usually do not have carnival celebrations or have modified traditions, like the Danish Carnival. The world's largest carnival celebration is held in Brazil but many countries worldwide have large, popular celebrations, such as Carnival of Venice. READ MORE>>>

Celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Although Mardi Gras is celebrated around the world, no one does it like New Orleans -- the City that Care Forgot!* This site introduces you to the major participants of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, provides updated parade information and parade routes, the truth about our Mardi Gras traditions, the best places to get your Mardi Gras beads, masks, and kingcakes ... and more!