The beginning of March launches the first of several holidays and traditions with Roman Catholic roots such as Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent and St. Patrick’s Day. While they date back ...

According to Britannica.com, "Ash Wednesday is a solemn reminder of ... Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It is a day of gluttonous indulgence, reflecting the practice of the last night ...

This is done to supposedly imitate Jesus Christ’s 40-day fast in the wilderness.” Those who observe Ash Wednesday in the warm-up to the Lent period for Easter period must contend with various ...