Today is Fat Tuesday, the culmination of the famous season of Mardi Gras.
Debauchery. Bacchanalia. Floats, costumes, beads and masks, and lots of drinking and partying. That’s what we think of when we hear the term Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.
There is a lot more behind it. Also called Shrove Tuesday, it marks the last day of the liturgical calendar before Lent begins.
After Catholicism spread throughout Europe, many cultures celebrated the final day before Lent began in ways unique to that individual culture. Eggs, and milk were finished off in one day, giving rise to the term Fat Tuesday. In Poland, such things as lard, sugar, eggs, and fruit were forbidden during Lent, and the beloved pączki became a special treat for Fat Tuesday. In Detroit they still sell many thousands of them to long lines of people.
Enjoy your Fat Tuesday, and spare a thought to the next forty days. Why not observe Lent, and use the time to more deeply appreciate Christ’s sacrifice and his love for us?
I am sure you’ve seen people on Ash Wednesday with a cross traced on their foreheads. Many churches have Ash Wednesday services, and all are welcome. It’s a thought provoking way to begin your journey, to center and prepare yourself to make changes, to clean out some baggage and make more room for the truly important things.
This is a repeat post. I hope you will join us the next weeks as we look toward Good Friday and the Cross, with the goal of making ourselves a little more able to celebrate on Easter Sunday.
If this post isn’t your cup of tea, find another to comment on. The same goes for the Ash Wednesday post tomorrow, and the Sundays of Lent posts.
I sincerely hope that Mardi Gras is “everyone’s cup of tea!” Because, whether you ascribe to the [Catholic] religion or not, life should always bring you something to celebrate! And, to remember.
In New Orleans, Mardi Gras is a huge and serious celebration, prepared for many months by the various “Krews,” some of which are hundreds of years old. May all of us have something to celebrate. And, if it is the beginning of a somber time of remembering on your “liturgical calender,” may it also be that.
Historically, the focus of New Orleans carnival Krewes was on the masked balls. Membership in the Krewes was secretive but made up of the upper crust of New Orleans society. But the ball princesses were named in the society pages of the Times-Picayune, and that provided insight into who the members were.
I think the emphasis on parading is more recent and reflects the tourism market.
Carnival actuality begins on Twelfth Night (Feast of Epiphany) and was marked by the “King Cake” decorated in purple/gold/green to represent the gifts of the “wise men”.
As far as parades, my favorite is Krewe of Endymion which rolls on the Sat before Mardi Gras. Had a reputation of being made up of “nouveau riche” who were generous with carnival throws. This year Katy Perry was headlining.
During – of all things – a Geocaching event, I got a “behind-the-scenes tour” of the warehouse where one Krewe built and then stored their parade floats. It was astounding how much detailed work was poured into every single one of them, and money was no object (although not flaunted).
I think that it is delightfully appropriate to “celebrate with revelry” the beginning of this very important season. On the one hand, it is “revelry.” On the other hand, it is very serious.
I’m a practicing Catholic and love your religious posts, so don’t stop.
Kitty, have you read The Atillness Hour on here? I’m more of a Protestant myself but there are lots of neat comments and posts that all Christians could and should read and enjoy.
I appreciate these posts.
It used to be my cup of tea for many decades. But I stopped drinking the tea when I was given a cup with some sour milk.
It happens I guess.
But it’s becoming more my cup of tea the older I get. I do check the milk though before adding.
One of my friends says to look at the journey like this: I’m not where I want to be. But I’m not where I used to be.
And you, like all of us, are ‘where we are supposed to be’…
I have had some of the cup with sour milk, too…probably more of us than you may realize. May you live with lots of peace and love.
Small tip. If you add a pinch of salt to your milk when you first open it, you will get a lot more mileage. I usually put an ‘S’ on the cap before putting the container away.
A small pinch of salt works in the coffee pot too. Takes the bitterness out of the taste! Then again I use beans and grind them each day. So it’s a daily gig when I get up, LOL
It sure does. Use it almost daily.😊
Do you add it to the grounds before brewing or stir it into the pot afterwards?
Well Liz, hope springs eternal, so I always wait to taste the coffee first. Also salt sensitive, so attempt to save the real thing for special apps, and use No Salt for most cooked food I would normally salt. 😊
I never have milk long enough for it to sour, as hubs goes through about a gallon a day.
Ahh, sweet memories of a cherished Big Brother.💕
Thank you,Menagerie. These posts are always wonderful.
Yes thank you ! I love The Sunday of Lent posts.
Making some donuts later this afternoon for afternoon coffee. Fried potatoes and greenbeans with bacon for dinner. Perhaps a glass of 2 (or 3 or 4) to go with. Tomorrow? Back to intermittent fasting and low-carb diet!
I made some low carb donuts for today. Not the same, but I’m able to observe tradition. I wish you much success with your low carb diet and IF!
I’ve lost 60 pounds on it.
That’s fantastic. Congratulations!
Congratulations, Liz!!!!
ZM, it’s a good thing bacon is low carb! I’m doing IF, which I enjoy, and kind of a ketevore diet right now. Except today.
Can never have too much bacon ZM
Sorry. Bacon should always be spelled with a capital ‘B’…🥓 Bacon..Bacon !!😀
“Bacon … the candy of meats!”
Ain’t it the truth!
Been years since bacon entered my mouth, but those glasses, I do a bit more, LOL
The Lord intended our bodies to be His temple, so it is always a good plan to devote our health to Him, or give up something that is destroying our health as a way to honor Him for Lent or otherwise. This could be a food item, alcohol, etc or even a toxic practice or person that brings undue stress. Toxic levels of stress can kill and lead to disease. So can never taking the time to rest/decompress. Perhaps many of us work so hard that we never give ourselves a break to enjoy the blessings the Lord has given us in our lives, since we are always driving ourselves so hard. Maybe we can consider crossing something off our “To Do” list for Lent also.
My hope is that what I give up for Lent will be something I can carry forward into the future indefinitely and be used as a way to better my health and to deepen my spiritual practice. We can always pray to the Lord to take away the temptation or desire for whatever it is that tempts us (since we are human) that is actually toxic to us.
Unfortunately in regard to food, we are being more manipulated than we think. If you read about what the food industry does in the US, you will soon see that they deliberately add ingredients to our food to get people hooked on their high fat, high sugar, high carb chemically contaminated food they sell. They don’t care that this is a path to obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, cancer, stroke, and early death. We don’t have to cooperate with their shareholder’s plan and alternatives to the convenience food that abounds are available. God’s Will is for us to be healthy! Wishing all of my fellow Treeper’s a Healthy, Happy Fat Tuesday and season of Lent. God Bless Sundance and Menagerie for this site, and God Bless America.
An excellent point!
Commemorating tomorrow, the start of the 40 days in the desert when our Lord was tempted by the devil, while he prepared for His Passion.
Let us eat, drink and be merry today…and remember that there is no sacrifice that is too small, tomorrow and forward, in offering of a penance.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”NIV Matthew 7:7-8
As we prepare for Good Friday, during these days…let us remember there is no problem too small, that cannot be brought to the foot of the Cross, with the faith and size of a mustard seed.
God Bless all.
Any Christ centered message, I’m all in. Happy Fat Tuesday!
I’m not Catholic, but I appreciate all of these posts throughout the years.
The president’s speech being today, no coincidence!
It was a great speech, I thought.
Thank you, Menagerie.
Praise to God for bringing us Jesus the Christ who made the ultimate sacrifice as our redeemer. We are so blessed in all our brokenness to have the triune God . May the Word go forth.
Every year I say, “I’m going to have a good Lent this year!”, meaning I resolve to stick with my plans for prayer, fasting and alms giving. I usually fall way short, “but not this year”!
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless Menagerie, Sundance, and all people throughout the world, especially those in most need of His mercy.
You brought to mind a prayer I have been saying…I think this might be one of the Fatima prayers…
“oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and bring all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of Your mercy”.
Yes, I lifted that from the Fatima prayer, which I say after the Glory Be for each decade of the Rosary, which I intend to get back to praying every day this Lent, and hopefully thereafter as well.
Be well, Aggiegirl. I always enjoy your posts.
It is, recited after each decade and at the very end, after the Our Father, the Hail Mary and the Glory to God for the Holy Father’s intentions, there is the last verse: Oh my Jesus, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee. Please pardon all of those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee.
Great Lent, or the Fast, in the Orthodox Christian Church began yesterday, Monday of Clean Week. It followed several Sundays of preparation.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
I might find another post to comment on, but that’s a different matter than appreciating your devotion to what really matter.
Praise the Lord!
As a Gulf Coast resident, Happy Mardi Gras y’all. A little history, the celebrations began in Mobile, AL, contrary to most common belief. A 21 yr old Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville founded Mobile as a settlement in 1702, and the feasting, masked balls, and revelry began in 1704. Occasionally interrupted by war etc., the celebration was revived by a confederate war veteran by the name of Joe Cain in 1867. Considered the modern creator of the parades, he dressed up a coal cart and paraded with several other veterans as a way to lift the spirits of the war-torn southern residents. I’ve been to two Balls this year and several parades, and I can confirm the celebration is still going strong. “Laissez les bons temps rouler”
My spouse is currently working in Mobile and was given today off!
I am glad I read thru…I used to live on the eastern shore and attended Mardi Gras in Mobile…. MUCH more family oriented..
Joe Cain Sunday is my favorite, been going since the 70s
.
Your last sentence reminded me of this song! The cover of the record is purple and gold…(Come on, Baby Let the Good Times Roll.)
it would also be wonderful to include the Ascension of the Lord Jesus to His Throne on the thursday 40 days after He arose. used to be a holy day of obligation.
Ascension Thursday.
A children’s Shrove Tuesday song from childhood:
Great A, little a,
This is Pancake Day;
Toss the ball high,
Throw the ball low,
Those that come after
May sing heigh-ho…
Then we sing heigh-ho!
Even if one isn’t the Catholic, it is spiritually valuable to spend the Lenten season contemplating the sacrifice of God sending his Son to bring us salvation! I appreciate your posts , Menagerie!
It’s always a good time for that.
As a protestant turned Catholic, Lent was a key piece to my conversion, which is funny since as a Protestant I always thought it was silly.
Lenten tradition, like many traditions Protestants, myself included, disregard, has an important role in practicing self-discipline, reflection, humbleness. All key components of growing as a Christian whether one is Catholic or not.
These are the reasons for the posts, for everyone, not just Catholics. Many Christians follow Lenten observances, but it’s my opinion that all could benefit from them.
Thank you and I agree!
❤️
Thank you for all your articles and posts. I do benefit from them immensely. Forgive me for the late response as I live in North Texas, 5 miles from the Red River and we had bad storms early this morning and my electricity was out for close to five hours, so internet was down too. God Bless you and all treepers and America.
Perhaps you guys will disagree with me, and it’s your right and decision. However from my perspective and that of millions more, this is just another example of paganism woven into religion and given the OK. Since when and where in Gods word will you find it OK to celebrate Debauchery, lots of drinking and partying in order to usher in what should be a “holy” period.
1 Corinthians 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” Sorry folks!! And hey, not that I’m some saint, I spent almost 40 years doing it myself. I now know better. Time to choose – choose well before it’s too late.
I find your comment uninformed and not charitable. But go ahead and throw the worst interpretation across the whole idea, rather than specifically pointing out things you disagree with.
Just wait till this Sunday, which is when on the first Sunday of Great Lent Orthodox Christians celebrate the defeat of the Iconoclasts and process around the church with Icons of their Saints, Christ, and the Theotokos. A blessed Lent to all my Western Christian brothers and sisters.
If this post isn’t your cup of tea, find another to comment on. The same goes for the Ash Wednesday post tomorrow, and the Sundays of Lent posts.
the Pharisee holier than thou s of modern day can never resist an opportunity to insert their foot in their mouth.
😉
Celebrating is not Debauchery … and … Debauchery is not Celebrating.
YOU can make EVERYTHING the best, or the worse … your gift from God – FREE Will.
Only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is PERFECT … and He was nailed to a tree … but … rest of us should/must always try to emulate The Son of God … Daily … Amen✨
I am not Catholic, but grew up honoring Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Shrove Tuesday can be dedicated to honoring our Savior by finishing off food items that will not be consumed over the next few weeks (instead of throwing them out). All here are in agreement that debauchery and gluttony – regardless of the season or time – is sinful. We understand that our sins had not been committed when Christ died to pay for them, and we do not want to add to His need for payment.
It seems most God-centered days of celebration have been corrupted: Christmas is largely secularized, for instance.
Menagerie is re-claiming the holy from the secular. “Let all the earth praise the LORD!”
Well said.
Ah….so you don’t see that beam in your eye huh? Look more closely.
God enlighten you.
Thank you for posting this.
We grew up with little religious instruction. What little we knew about it was used as a divisive tool.
One of the many things I enjoy about the TCTH is the education an individual can glean if so inclined.
Thanks once again for the repeat of this post..
I can’t give up coffee as I am already on my second one.😉
Cheers!
Starts tomorrow Dekester! 🤔
Oh no!
I will have to come up with another excuse.😉
Cheers!
Here’s one that works for me off and on: What comes out of the mouth is more important than what goes in. Edgar Cayce
👍
Our readings and gospels of late leading up to Lent have been full of this very counsel. Thank you.
I definitely am still in the ‘improving’ stage.
I have my Bourbon Street cam going. Getting more interesting by the minute.
Thank you Menagerie
Menagerie thank you! May God bless us Treepers and our families and the US. And continue to guide the hands and mind of our true President, Donald J Trump! 🙏🏽❤️
I don’t drink alcohol, smoke anything, or have any costumes or beads, but I have some N95 masks left over.
Attending Mardi Gras is on my bucket list, which is weird because I don’t like crowds or noise. But, for some reason I love New Orleans and all the craziness there. I can take it in small doses. Happy Mardi Gras, all!
Pancake Tuesday…..:)
God Bless Menagerie.
The words spoken by the priest while tracing a cross on the forehead of the faithful in ashes of last year’s palms always gets me. ” Remember man, that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.”
It’s very sad that there is no acknowledgement whatsoever of Mardi Gras here in SW Florida.
Orthodox Christians, prior to the start of Great Lent on Monday, and having given up meat the preceding Monday (after Meatfare Sunday), celebrate with Cheesefare week and Sunday. This is followed by Forgiveness Vespers where we each embrace and ask forgiveness of each person in the parish. Then follows a strict fast with no meat (except fish on a few feasts), dairy, or eggs until Holy Pascha (Easter)
Easter this year = April 20 = 47-day Lent this year??
Never heard of such thing.
Maybe my calendar is off??
Lent has always been 40 days.
The 40 days of Lent are each week Monday through Saturday. Sundays in the church year are mini-Easter celebrations. Technically we say “Sundays in Lent” rather than “Sundays of Lent” since they are not part of the 40 days. As a life long Lutheran I have always belonged to congregations that observed the historical church year because it highlights the work of Christ in the festival half (Advent to Pentecost) and teaches the Christian Life in the non-festival half.
Thanks. As a life-long catholic, never hear that before. Maybe I just forgot over the years? Set out early, but arrived late. Not important. I arrived.
Looks more like a cult celebration to me.
They can keep it. I have zero interest in that foolishness.
Then you should stay far away from it.
As Mardi Gras is celebrated say a prayer for those across the ocean who have succumbed to Satan’s Islamic followers. In places like Munich, which cancelled its 500 year old tradition of Carnival due to the fear of Islamic suicide attacks.
London, Birmingham and a third large UK city are all run by Muslim mayors and these cities are quiet ‘mostly’, except when native British complain about having their traditions overridden…then there are arrests for hate speech.
Need to get me a King Cake! I’m the only one in the house who likes them, so I don’t worry about someone snitching some while I’m not watching.
King Cake is actually a bread, a very dry bread. There are some wonderful recipes out there now that have dealt with the dryness. I make a cream cheese stuffed King Cake every year and my husband, a New Orleans native., fight over every piece.
A New Orleanian,…The only REX parade I’ll watch today is President Trump’s SOTU in Congress.
Bet this REX will have plenty of fancy Common Sense throws to toss our way tonight.
“Throw us something good Mister”,… President.
Happy Mardi Gras,..All Hail REX!
Laissez les bons temps rouler! (If I remember correctly!)
I ❤️ love it!!!😅😆😁
Throw me sometin’ mistah!
Thank you Ad Rem. I really like this. It brought a smile to my face. Also, thank you for everything you do here. God Bless all of you.
YRC,… Cher. We had a Big storm roll thru NOLA late this afternoon,.. all is wet, wild and well now! Ashes in the AM at Church.
You are correct!
New Orleans area ex-pat here.
My Grandfather used to bend down to peer under a piece of furniture and look for dust.
If he spotted anything he would announce to my Bomi (Grandma) this declaration:
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, someone’s either coming or going under there, Ma.”
I love your posts Menagerie, they always make me stop and reflect.
Thank you
Looking forward to going over and reviewing Galveston’s Mardi Gras
Thanks fir the reminder Menagerie.
God bless you, Menagerie. A blessed and Holy Lent to all at CTH!
I love the scene in “Abbott & Costello Go to Mars” when they (spoiler alert) think they have landed on Mars but land on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. The revelers had great papier mache costume heads that were intricate; for any commentors out there from New Orleans, did it used to look like that? Nowadays seems a bit tawdrier.
Most people wore costumes/mask on MG back then,… It was more authentic but the revelry was just as good. The floats now are better than Hollywood productions.
Shaq was King of Bacaus this Sunday, a great extravaganza of a parade.
Lake Charles Live Site with all the festivities and photos
Published: Feb. 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM CST|Updated: 2 hours ago
https://www.kplctv.com/2025/02/27/how-watch-lake-charles-mardi-gras-parades-live/
You can scroll through alot of the videos of events and parades on this site and if thats not enough, explore through the local events
https://www.kplctv.com/news/mardi-gras/
It is time to start making those Ukranian Easter Eggs (pysanky). You can get kits online from the Ukraniangiftstore.com in Minnesota. It ‘s been there since the 1930s. It is a fun and lifelong craft. It takes a while to get decent at it but once you do, everyone will love the eggs. They will keep forever (you drain the yolks and then rinse the inside with vinegar. But you can leave the yolks in as I think they desiccate after a while ) and you varnish them for a nice shine. It can take 10 hours per egg if you have the time. Use the electric kitksa (the wax melting stylus) for more even lines.
Even non Catholic celebrate Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.. May the Lord continue to bless you Sundance..
Tell us how you really feel menagerie 🤣👍
The big bass drum led the big parade …
Forgive my ignorance please, I don’t mean to offend anyone, but is Ash Wednesday a Catholic observance and how does Lent work?
Thank you, Menagerie!
Growing up an hour from New Orleans, my parents and I would stay at the Roosevelt Hotel and take in the parades over the weekend preceding Mardi Gras day…..on that day, we would dress in our costumes and enjoy! One memorable time, my Dad dressed as Bat Masterson, complete with hat and cane…he had so many photos taken of him!
Ash Wednesday morning, my Mom and I would walk across the street from our hotel to a beautiful church for Mass and ashes.
Many happy memories!
That would be the Jesuit Church on Baronne. It’s still there, across from the Roosevelt.
Mardi Gras brings back so many happy memories !
https://jesuitchurch.net/
Yes! Thank you.
I was always in awe going there with Mama for Mass.❤
Yes! Thanks.
I remember as a child being in awe every time we stepped into that lovely church.❤
More happy memories. Glad to know the Roosevelt Hotel is still alive and well. Jack Jones was playing in what I want to say was the Sezerac Bar when I was there, and sang his then big hit, “Wives and Lovers.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a-HOADT1kY
Thanks for the memories!
The Roosevelt is as lovely as ever…always have to visit when I go home.
My parents often went to the Blue Room there to see artists from the 50’s and 60’s….I remember Jack Jones was one of their favorites.
I miss home! ( in MO now).