PowerPoint Show by Andrew

Pre-Lenten Mardi Gras celebrations wrapped up yesterday before the marking of Ash Wednesday today.

Historians say the tradition dates back to Roman times, when the newly converted Christians retained vestiges of their pagan festival, “Lupercalia,” as a period of celebration before the penance during the 40 days of Lent.

A member of the Mondo Kayo Social and Marching Club parades down St. Charles Avenue during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

A reveler makes his way through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on Feb 9 in New Orleans.

A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club parades down Canal Street during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

A beaded float driver waves to the crowd on the first Saturday of Mardi Gras festivities in downtown Galveston, Texas, on Jan. 30.

A reveler makes her way through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

A rider throws beads as the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade rolls through New Orleans on Feb. 6.

A member of the North Side Skull & Bone Gang stands against a wall waiting to continue the parade for Mardi Gras on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

A parade-goer dances outside on Bourbon St. for Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, in New Orleans, on Feb. 9.

Revelers rest in a bar during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Parade-goers laugh and celebrate as the Saint Anne Parade moves through New Orleans during Mardi Gras on Feb. 9.

A maid from the royal court of Endymion throws beads as the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade rolls through New Orleans on Feb. 6.

Rex, the King of Mardi Gras, greets the crowd as the Krewe of Rex rolls through New Orleans on Feb. 9.

A reveler makes her way through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9.

A member of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club throws a coconut during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.

Revelers make their way through the French Quarter during Mardi Gras day on Feb. 9.

A woman next to lighted candles prays during the observance of Ash Wednesday at a church ground in Manila on Feb 10.

Filipinos attend a Holy Mass at a church during Ash Wednesday in Baclaran, south of Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 10.

Nuns attend a mass during the traditional Ash Wednesday service, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in San Jose, Costa Rica on Feb. 10.

A Catholic faithful prays during Ash Wednesday on Feb. 10 in Cali, Colombia.

Father Matt Williams makes the sign of the cross on Samantha Warm as priests gave out ashes on Boston Common near the Park Street T Stop .

An image of Jesus Christ is seen as Catholic faithful of El Jesus Nazareno brotherhood participate in the traditional Ash Wednesday service, at the Holy Cross parish in Panchimalco, El Salvador on Feb. 10.

A Filipino Catholic seminarian marks a cross on the forehead of a child during a Holy Mass at a church for Ash Wednesday in Baclaran, Philippines.

Roman Catholic devotees light candles at a church as the country marks Ash Wednesday, in Manila on Feb. 10.

A Lebanese Christian woman stands in front of her shop, her forehead marked with an ash cross, as she marks Ash Monday in Beirut on Feb. 8.

A woman prays during Ash Wednesday mass at the La Merced church in Panama City, on Feb. 10.