Topic: Ash Wednesday

Cover Story How one church is helping heal Newtown

Members of the Newtown United Methodist Church have turned to faith – and each other – to surmount a mass shooting.

Latin America Monitor Brazil's 2013 Carnival may have rocked ... but parts also stank.

The amount of trash collected during this year's blocos, or street parties, grew 30 percent from last year – and tourists noticed, with 1 out of 4 citing sanitation as a negative of their Rio Carnival experience.

Pope Benedict XVI: A 'simple and humble worker' (+video)

Amidst a tearful crowd, Pope Benedict XVI led his final public mass on Wednesday at St. Peter's Basilica. He thanked those in the audience for their prayers. Breaking with tradition, he will retire this month to a life of prayer in a converted monastery. He will not play a role in the selection of his successor. 

Hurricane Sandy: Does a full moon cause high tides? How?

Forecasters warn that storm surges from Hurricane Sandy could be particularly powerful, because the storm coincides with a full moon. How does that work, exactly?

T. S. Eliot: 10 quotes on his birthday

Here are 10 quotes by the 20th-century literary giant T. S. Eliot.

Latin America Monitor Mexicans host Pope Benedict XVI, but say he's no Juan Pablo

A poll suggests Pope Benedict XVI had big shoes to fill in Mexico, where he celebrates Mass today before heading to Cuba. 

Why the pope wants stronger ties with Mexico and Cuba

While the Catholic church is bolstering the faithful in Mexico and Cuba, it is also seeking closer ties with national governments during Pope Benedict XVI's first visit to these countries.

Latin America Monitor Brazil police strike ends in Rio, Carnival saved

The police strike that threatened Carnival, one of the world's most festive parties, shows how labor movements are gaining the upper hand in Brazil for the first time in history, says guest blogger.

Photos of the Day Photos of the day 03/09

Fat Tuesday 2011: Top cities that celebrate Mardi Gras

Partying has begun today in major cities to mark Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a last gastronomical hurrah before the Christian fasts that start on Ash Wednesday and continue during the season of Lent. The festivities that precede Fat Tuesday are known as Carnival in Catholic European nations, Latin America, and Canada. They are known as Shrovetide in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and Mardi Gras in the US and Australia. The Mardi Gras season starts on twelfth night (January 5) and ends on Fat Tuesday, but the festivities and parade season usually last for only the few days nearest Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday 2011 falls on March 8, but the day falls on a different date every year depending on when Easter falls. This year Fat Tuesday is being celebrated later than any other Fat Tuesday in over 150 years. The festivities include rich, fatty foods, masks and elaborate costumes, balls, and large scale parades at which participants throw small gifts. In the early days of the Mardi Gras parades, participants would throw candy or nuts. The "throws" have since evolved to include whistles, trinkets, cups, fake money (called doubloons), beaded necklaces, oranges, and even coconuts.
03/08/2011 10:23 am

New Bible to replace 'holocaust,' 'booty,' and 'cereal.' Why?

New Bible: a new Roman Catholic Church edition of the New American Bible will replace some words, revert to an earlier version of the 23rd Psalm, and include fresh notes of Church interpretation. A digital edition of this new bible will also be available next week.
03/03/2011 05:58 pm

Photos of the Day Photos of the Day 11/11

In Pictures In honor of National Pancake Day: Pancakes around the world

The New Economy Do indebted nations need their own Ash Wednesday, Lent?

After years of overspending, Greece and other heavily indebted nations need the sacrifice and budget discipline symbolized by Ash Wednesday and Lent.
02/17/2010 11:43 am

Opinion Is it Presidents Day or President's Day or Presidents' Day?

In Virginia there is no Presidents' Day. It's legally only George Washington's birthday. How well do you know America's (often bogus) holidays?
02/15/2010 08:44 am

Lebanon's 'Black Sunday' killings raise sectarian tensions

The Lebanese Army, which many credit with holding together the fragile nation, is under siege after firing on a protest last month.
02/07/2008 12:00 am