Why do Christians call it Shrove Tuesday?
means to obtain forgiveness for one’s sins by confession and doing penance. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the shriving that English Christians were expected to do prior to receiving absolution immediately before Lent begins. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of “shrovetide”, similiar to the Carnival tradition that developed in Latin Europe. The name Shrove Tuesday is no longer widely used in the United States outside of church services. Due to the increase in immigrant populations and traditions since the 19th century “Mardi Gras” is more widely-used.
