Mardi Gras--also
called Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day and Shrove Tuesday--anticipates Ash
Wednesday and Lent in the Catholic, Orthodox and some protestant Christian
churches. These observances countdown to holy week
and the Easter Triduum. Shrove Tuesday falls at a different day each year with
the movable Easter feast. In 2015, it's Tuesday, Feb. 17. Although the term
Mardi Gras is used synonymously with the Carnival ("farewell to the flesh")
celebration, it's actually one day. Here are activities children can do to
learn more about Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Pray,
fast and give alms. Mardi Gras is the last day of ordinary time before Lent,
the 40-day spiritual pilgrimage that follows Christ on his journey through the
desert where he was tempted by Satan. As Jesus fasted, Catholics are called to
imitate. Fasting means giving up self-centered practices and practicing
selfless acts. The principal virtues of Lent are prayer, fasting and almsgiving
(donating to those in need). At Ash Wednesday mass, the first religious event
of Lent, the faithful are marked with ashes and told to "turn away from
sin and be faithful to the Gospel."
Confess
sins. For Catholics, Mardi Gras is more than just a day to party before the
fasting begins. The traditional name "Shrove Tuesday" more accurately
reflects the purpose of Mardi Gras. To be shriven means to be purged of sin and
purified by acts of confession and reconciliation in the Sacrament of penance.
On Shrove Tuesday, Catholics go to confession, pray, repent and attend prayer
services.
Explore
with printable Lent lesson plans. Operation Rice Bowl has free Lenten printables. Catholic Mom offers free printable Lent
worksheets, puzzles, coloring
pages, crafts, games and activities. Children can color Bible pictures, read
from the Gospels, follow mass readings, pray the rosary and other Catholic
prayers. Printables help reinforce lessons.
Enjoy
Pancake Day. Traditionally, during Lent, people abstain from eating meat,
sugar, sweets, oil, butter and fats (hence the term "Fat Tuesday").
To use up these ingredients so they would not be in the home during Lent (and
hence a temptation), Catholics made pancakes. That's why it's called Pancake
Day.
Abstain
from bad, practice good. Giving up things (fasting) is a spiritual exercise.
Catholics fast from meat on Fridays (in remembrance of the death of Jesus).
Many give up chocolate or other sweets. Fasting is particularly healthy for
everyone, not just Catholics. It purges the body and soul. Fasting helps the mind
focus on spiritual things. Lenten fasting resembles the dietary laws of other
religions, notably Kashrut (kosher) Jewish laws, Buddhist and Muslim Ramadan
fasting practices. But it's not just about giving up bad habits. It's about
learning new healthier ones. So encourage children to give up something they
like (candy) and work on improving a behavior--manners, tidiness, getting
along.
