Ash Wednesday
Coronavirus outbreak in Italy challenges Lenten celebrations
By Claire Giangravé — February 27, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As parts of northern Italy are under curfew and quarantined amid growing coronavirus concerns, Catholic priests in the region look for new and creative ways to administer Mass in the days leading up to Lent.
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaches on selflessness at Baptist church
By Adelle M. Banks — March 7, 2019
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (RNS) — 'Selfishness is a cancer that will destroy from within better than anything can destroy from without,' said Curry.
Pope opens Lent with call to avoid ‘clutches of consumerism’
By Associated Press — March 6, 2019
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has urged Roman Catholic faithful to free themselves from the 'clutches of consumerism and the snares of selfishness' as he marked the start of Lent.
Pancakes, Fat Tuesday and cheering for the losing team
By Kate Bowler — March 5, 2019
(RNS) — In a world that prizes self-affirmation, confidence and pride, Ash Wednesday comes as a slap in the face, a bracing cold shower of reality. Inescapably, we are told of our lingering weaknesses, faults and helplessness.
4 things to know about Ash Wednesday
By William Johnston — March 5, 2019
(The Conversation) — The Christian practice of marking ashes on believers' foreheads to kick off the penitent season of Lent dates to the 10th century.
When Lenten fasting is indistinguishable from a New Age cleanse
By Tara Isabella Burton — February 28, 2019
(RNS) — Modern Lent has come to have more in common with Dry January — the viral sensation encouraging New Year's resolvers to give up alcohol for a month — than with its ecclesiastic antecedents.
When Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day, what’s a clergyperson to do?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 14, 2018
(RNS) — A pastor of an Episcopal church plans to say 'Remember that you are beloved, and to love you shall return,' during the imposition of ashes (instead of the traditional 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return').
Jews and Muslims invited to celebrate Carnival in Germany
By Tom Heneghan — February 13, 2018
(RNS) — The age-old Christian background to the festivities is mostly forgotten, but religion came up in a new way this year as organizers faced an interesting question. Can Jews and Muslims join in the merrymaking?
Photo Gallery: Christians receive ashes in a variety of ways
By Kit Doyle — March 1, 2017
(RNS) Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, the period of penance and fasting preceding Easter.
Mixing glitter into ashes is an act of profound love and respect
By Elizabeth M. Edman — March 1, 2017
NEW YORK (RNS) Glitter + Ash Wednesday was conceived as an effort to make queer Christians visible. But at this moment in time, when so many people are taking to the streets to uphold values that we feel are under attack, progressive Christians as a whole need to stand up and be counted.
Ash Wednesday doesn’t need to sparkle
By Jacob Lupfer — February 28, 2017
(RNS) I bristle at the notion that people have to put glitter in their Ash Wednesday ritual to properly welcome LGBT people.
‘Glitter Ash Wednesday’ sparkles for LGBT Christians and others
By Kimberly Winston — February 14, 2017
(RNS) Usually the stuff of princesses and unicorns, purple "glitter ashes" will be available in some churches.
No time on Ash Wednesday? There’s a drive-thru for that
By Sally Morrow — February 10, 2016
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan. (RNS) This United Church of Christ congregation is part of a growing trend.
On Ash Wednesday, I remember: I am a sinner. I will die (COMMENTARY)
By Jacob Lupfer — February 10, 2016
(RNS) Ash Wednesday reminds us we are dead in our sins and, soon enough, dead in fact. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
T(aylor) S(wift) Eliot
By Laura Turner — February 18, 2015
Are TS Eliot and Taylor Swift really the same person? An investigation.
