How do Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday relate to Lent?
Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”) is the last day before Lent. Since Lent was traditionally a time of fasting, the day before it began was always a feast day. People had to use up eggs, butter, and other perishables that would not last through the Lenten season, and Fat Tuesday was celebrated with many traditional and tasty baked goods. The next day, Ash Wednesday, was the official beginning of Lent. After prayer, people would have their foreheads marked with ashes as a sign of their repentance and humility.
