Epiphany is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on January 6th, but what is it all about, and what does it have to do with our Mardi Gras celebrations here in Louisiana?
The idea is that you take an item that you don't use or wear anymore. You do this every day during Lent. You pack everything into a bag and at the end of Lent, you donate the big bag of items to a local charity shop or to a homeless shelter.
If you were raised in Louisiana, the question, "did you get your ashes and what are you giving up for Lent?" is not at all strange to you. Nearly a third of the state's population is Catholic.
Fat Tuesday has passed and Ash Wednesday, the day that most Catholics and some Christians give something up for the Lenten season. But does it have to be tough? Is it meant to cause guilt or anxiety?
Everyone knows that giving up anything for Lent is hard, much less chocolate! I'm not sure I could do it, but if I did, this is what I would look like!