PANCAKE TUESDAY BRIGID CONROY
A deliciously delightful way to prepare for the season of Lent.
T
he Church is a family. Like all families, the Church has a number of customs or traditions, that although they are not official “must dos” are nevertheless great ways to bring greater meaning to celebrations, to create memories and to foster a greater sense of belonging. Many customs in the Church have arisen as a result of ordinary families and communities taking the initiative to evangelise and make the faith living and active in their everyday lives. One such custom is having pancakes on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent.
Formerly known as Shrove Tuesday, this day historically marked the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before starting the Lenten fast, and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients, hence the nickname Pancake Tuesday. The day also goes by the French name Mardi Gras - literally, Fat Tuesday. The word shrove comes from the word “to shrive” which means to hear confessions. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of what used to be called “Shrovetide,” the week before the start of Lent. The word, Shrovetide, the English equivalent for “Carnival,” comes from the Latin carnem levare, meaning “to take away the flesh” (or “farewell to meat”). Shrovetide was a time to cast off things of the flesh and to prepare spiritually for Lent. This is a great reminder that none of us here are perfect and that Lent is a great time to go to the Sacrament of Penance to receive our loving Father’s mercy and grace.
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