Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday"), is the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is the Christian season in which we are called to be especially focused on repentance, prayer, service, and simplicity. Christians throughout the ages, then, have observed the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday as a day to celebrate with lots of food and fun before the seriousness of Lent. At Messiah, we will observe this tradition by having a meal together (it's customary to have breakfast food for dinner on Shrove Tuesday), enjoying good company, and maybe even playing some games together. Before the night ends, we will also take part in the tradition of burning last year's Palm Sunday palm fronds. The ash from the palms are what are used to mark our foreheads at the Ash Wednesday service.