MARDI GRAS = PANCAKE TUESDAY!
Traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the rich, fatty foods—meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese—that remained in their homes, in anticipation of several weeks of eating only fish and different types of fasting which were observed through Lent.
In France, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday came to be known as Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday” (Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means “fat.”) This would officially be the last day of indulgence before the serious liturgical season of Lent, leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to give absolution for someone's sins by way of Confession and doing penance - so, "Mardi Gras" became known "Shrove Tuesday" in the English Commonwealth parts of the world. This goes back hundreds of years.
Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, because they are a way to use up the rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent - So Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday! In some places, there are even "Pancake Races"-- based on a story that a housewife in 1445 England lost track of time and ran to church with pancakes still cooking in the skillet in her hands!
In France, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday came to be known as Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday” (Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means “fat.”) This would officially be the last day of indulgence before the serious liturgical season of Lent, leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The word shrove is a form of the English word shrive, which means to give absolution for someone's sins by way of Confession and doing penance - so, "Mardi Gras" became known "Shrove Tuesday" in the English Commonwealth parts of the world. This goes back hundreds of years.
Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, because they are a way to use up the rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent - So Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day or Pancake Tuesday! In some places, there are even "Pancake Races"-- based on a story that a housewife in 1445 England lost track of time and ran to church with pancakes still cooking in the skillet in her hands!
Some congregations may hold Pancake Breakfasts on Shrove Tuesday,
and we at Oak Meadow United Methodist, have a Pancake Supper!
We hope you join us!
and we at Oak Meadow United Methodist, have a Pancake Supper!
We hope you join us!