Religious Rock Stars: Five Catholic Acts for Ash Wednesday

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​Happy Ash Wednesday, y'all!

Christians are just 46 days away from the celebration of their 1,979th Easter, commemorating the day when Jesus Christ allegedly resurrected from the dead and escaped his post-crucifixion resting place.

The countdown begins ceremoniously with the imposition of ashes on the forehead and a vow to give up something awesome like caffeine or cigarettes for the remainder of Lent.

We hear it's right to "give thanks and praise" to Jesus for taking the sin bullet for us. But we think it's a better idea to "give thanks and praise" to Catholic musicians who make secular music.

Check out Crossfade's five favorite Catholic acts.



Bruce Springsteen
The Boss grew up a good Catholic boy and attended St. Rose of Lima from 1954 to 1963. In the Christian spirit of giving, he performed a benefit concert at the school in 1996.



Gwen Stefani
The No Doubt frontwoman is more than just a girl. She's a Catholic girl. And the lady loves hitting up St. Brendan Catholic Church in Los Angeles.



Slayer's Tom Araya
Chile, like most South American countries, is overwhelmingly Catholic. So it's no surprise that Chilean-born Tom Araya identifies as a Catholic, even though he's a thrash metal overlord.



Lady Gaga
Mother Monster is a big fan of Mother Mary, Jesus' immaculately impregnated mom. The singer opened up about her Catholic upbringing on the Howard Stern Show last year.



Julian Casablancas
The Strokes' frontman, raised by a "non-practicing" Catholic father and protestant mother, "definitely believes in something." Unfortunately for him, he was never baptized so he'll likely go to hell.

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