Interfaith Days: Ash Wednesday, Scientology National Founding Day

from http://stmarkssouthborough.org/
ash-wednesday/

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in Western Christianity. It is 46 days before Easter, beginning the 40 days of Lent (minus the Sundays). The time reflects the 40 days of Jesus' fast in the wilderness, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The ashes, from the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday, are placed on worshipers foreheads with the reminder of our mortality and need for repentance.

February 18 is also the date when L. Ron Hubbard established the first Church of Scientology in Los Angeles, in 1954.