"[Penance] does not mean sacrifice and self denial in the first place, but a 'change of heart,' a victory over sin and a triving for holiness. The sacrifices of fasting and self-denial are only means and signs of this spiritual penance. If people understand this well, they will not put the main effort in Lent on technical feats of abstaining from pleasures (which sometimes make them proud or vain), but in sincere contrition, prayer and humble fight against their faults." -- Fr. Francis X. Weiser S.J.
Today is:
Gregorian: 2014 March 05 (Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent
in Western Christianity)
Julian: 2014 February 20 (third day of Great Lent in Orthodox
Christianity)
Hebrew: 5774 Veadar 03 (or 5774 Adar II 03)
Islamic: 1435 Jumada I-Ula 03
Persian: 1392 Esfand 14
Mayan: 0.0.0.13.9.1.3.9
Indian: 1935 Phalguna 14
(Western Easter and Orthodox Easter fall on the same day this year
-- 2014-04-20 in the Gregorian calendar)