Ash wednesday

• Roman Catholics are celebrating Ash Wednesday, which kicks off Lent, the period of approximately 40 days before Easter.   Ash Wednesday signifies penance and reflection.
(msnbc.com)
• DAVENPORT, Ill., Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Churches are increasingly turning to commercially produced ashes in preparation for Ash Wednesday, an Illinois religious supply company said.
(United Press International)
• (RNS) Five years ago, the Rev. Teresa K.M. Danieley had an epiphany of sorts.
(Huffington Post)
• Washington (CNN)–Youve got something on your forehead. Every year on Ash Wednesday its how the awkward conversation begins.  A well meaning co-worker points out a black smudge on someones forehead, not knowing its supposed to be there.
(CNN)
• The Lenten season begins this week with Ash Wednesday, and many churches have been preparing by burning palm branches. At St. George School in Tinley Park on Tuesday, students took part in the palm-burning and were blessed by the Rev. Father Frank Florczek.
(Chicago Sun-Times)
• love, it is necessary to take concrete steps along the path of love which Jesus Christ has opened before us from his pierced side on the Roman cross.
(Catholic Online)
• This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world's most popular websites.
(YAHOO!)
• More than 70 Episcopal parishes in 18 states will bring Ash Wednesday to the streets tomorrow, kicking off the Lenten season with a twist.
(USA Today)
• Fat Tuesday is your last hurrah, folks, so let the carbo loading begin. Fat Tuesday will give way to a more solemn occasion -- Ash Wednesday-- and then a 40-day period of self-sacrifice known as Lent.
(Los Angeles Times)
• The Rev. James Harlan describes the 40 days of Lent as "a season marked with penitence and fasting.
(Palm Beach Daily News)