What is Fat/Shrove Tuesday?
Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras, French for Fat Tuesday) or formerly Shrove Tuesday (from the word “shrive” which means to confess and receive absolution) is the day before Ash Wednesday and it’s the day to feasting and celebration before the period of fasting during the Lenten season. 2. How did Ash Wednesday begin? Some scholars believed that this practice began out of necessity. As the weather warmed up many foods held in storage (salted fish, frozen meat cuts) would spoil. Also, spring is “birthing season” for many farm animals. So, abstaining from meat meant that mothers were able to properly nutrition their young. 3. What is Carnival? Carnival became associated with Shrove Tuesday, in part from the Spring Equinox celebrations that were practiced by the Romans and the ancient tribes of Europe. The word “carnival” comes from the Latin carnem levare, meaning “to take away the flesh”. 4. What does Ash Wednesday commemorate? Ash Wednesday, marks the start of Lent, a 40-day preparation peri
