IL PENSIERO “THE THOUGHT”
Office: 10001 Stonell Drive
Member of FUSIE (Federazione Italiana Stampa Unitaria all’Estero) Marzo 2022
THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
An Italian American Publication
NUMERO 3
Ash Wednesday by Courtney Kamm
Ash Wednesday, which is also the first day of Lent, takes place this year on Wednesday, March 2. Ash Wednesday is always 46 days before Easter and takes place immediately after the twoday celebration and overconsumption in Northern European countries called Carnival. Mainly observed by the Roman Catholic Church, the name of the day comes from a custom of churchgoers being marked on the forehead with ash representing one’s regrets for past sins. Traditionally, the ashes are created from burning the palms used in the church on Palm Sunday the previous year. During the 40 days before Easter, Roman Catholics are supposed to abstain from all bodily pleasures, including the consumption of meat. This is intended to remember the fasting of Jesus, who spent 40 days in the desert before beginning his ministry. In modern times, Catholics often give up something that is quote-on-quote, “bad for them.” This could be anything from smoking and drinking to eating dessert or another bad habit. What are you giving up for Lent this year?
Women’s History Month by Courtney Kamm
March is observed every year as Women’s History Month. A month dedicated to reflecting on and celebrating the oftenoverlooked contributions of women in U.S. history. Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California where The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned a women’s history week in 1978 around March 8, International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities began to initiate their own Women’s History week celebrations and in 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. This continued for many years until March 1987 when Congress passed a public law designating March as Women’s History Month. Are you looking for ways to celebrate Women’s History Month? Here are a few ideas: Support local female entrepreneurs. Read books by female authors. Get to know women in politics. Donate to a local nonprofit or national charity that contributes to the education and well-being of women and girls. Give thanks to the women in your community.
Purim
by Courtney Kamm
Purim is a Jewish holiday commemorating the saving of the Jewish People from Haman, an Achaemenid
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
12 PAGES
Persian Empire official who was planning to kill all the Jews in the empire. This year the holiday begins the evening of Wednesday, March 16, and ends on the evening of Thursday, March 17. Purim often incorporates dressing up in costume, and eating and drinking to celebrate unity, family, and togetherness.
Holi
by Courtney Kamm
Holi is a popular ancient Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the end of winter. It is also looked at as a festive day to gather with others, play and laugh, forgive and forget, and repair broken relationships. Taking place this year on Friday, March 18, Holi is known in India as the Festival of Colors and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Celebrations include bonfires, the throwing of a colorful powder called gulal, eating sweets, and dancing to traditional folk music. There are different celebrations going on around St. Louis, so make sure to look up what is happening in your community.
Kiss Me, I’m Irish! by Courtney Kamm
Grab your shamrocks and your favorite green clothing, because it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day! Observed on March 17 every year, St. Patricks Day is modernly packed with parades, good luck charms, and all things green. What started as a religious holiday has over time become a Continued on page 5