On Tuesday, March 4th, churches all over the world of many denominations and traditions will celebrate Shrove Tuesday.
Actually, millions of people, religious or not, will be celebrating on that day, or, as it is otherwise known, Mardi Gras. It is the last day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the liturgical season of Lent. Its also known as Fastnacht Day, Fat Tuesday (which is English for Mardi Gras), and Pancake Tuesday, to name a few.
The word shrove in Shrove Tuesday is the past tense of the word shrive, which means the act of confession, or of a priest hearing a confession and pronouncing absolution. Once again, this is tied to the religious season of Lent, where people would confess their sins and be forgiven in order to start the penitential season with a clean slate.
The tradition of eating pancakes on that day comes from the need to use up all of the rich ingredients in the house, such as milk, eggs and sugar, before the Lenten fast begins, with its 40-day emphasis on plain foods and avoidance of things that distract us from the serious nature of the season. Pancakes, besides being yummy, are a convenient and tasty way to use up those ingredients all at once.
Interestingly enough, in New Orleans, that partyest of party cities, they take Lent very seriously due to their deep Roman Catholic roots and traditions. So while the Mardi Gras festive season begins on 12th night (Jan. 6), it very much shuts down on Ash Wednesday and the
Lenten season of fasting and penitence begins. Dont worry, though, the food is every bit as good as before, just lacking meat on Fridays (shrimp etouffe, yum).
On Tuesday, March 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., in keeping with the longstanding tradition, Grace Episcopal Church, located at 16th and McClellan, will once again be serving its own annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper. The menu will include pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice and coffee. There is no charge, but there will be a free-will offering. It is open to the public, and all are welcome!
Please come and celebrate Mardi Gras with them in style and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Grace Episcopal Church is one of the oldest parishes in Huron, and is a member of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota. They meet Sundays at 10 a.m. for communion (all baptized people are welcome to take communion with them), with coffee and fellowship following in the parish hall.
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