The 'flip side' of Shrove Tuesday

Before the 40-day period of Lent begins, many Americans will celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Some mark the day with pancake feasts, while many more revel in Mardi Gras celebrations. What these partygoers may not realize is that behind the beads and bedlam is a history rich with Christian traditions.

Shrove Tuesday derives its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest to receive forgiveness before Lent. Historically, Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the Lenten fasting period, when some churches forbid the consumption of meat, butter, eggs and milk. What were families to do with their store of forbidden foods that would perish by the time the 40-day fast ended on Easter Sunday? Add a little flour to the milk, butter and eggs and voila: pancakes!

Today, the Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition lives on throughout Western Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia, but is most associated with the United Kingdom, where it is simply known as Pancake Day. In France, as well as here in the United States, Shrove Tuesday is most commonly known as Mardi Gras, which literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French. The official colors of Mardi Gras have their roots in Catholicism: purple, a symbol of justice; green, representing faith; and gold, to signify power.

While the term “Shrove Tuesday” is no longer widely known in the United States outside of the Episcopal Church, the day is still known as one of celebration — as well as penitence — as it is the last day before Lent. Because Lent is the traditional time of abstinence and sacrifice, Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church has long been honoring the tradition of Shrove Tuesday by hosting an annual pancake supper. This year, Emmanuel will offer its pancake supper — one last “fling” before the season of Lent begins — on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome to indulge and share a short stack among friends.

Jeanette Marshall Petersen is the senior warden of the vestry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

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