Shrove Tuesday is a term used in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada[1] and Australia[2]Christian for the day preceding the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.
The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of Confession and doing penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the shriving that English Christians were expected to do prior to receiving absolution immediately before Lent begins. Shrove Tuesday is the last day of "shrovetide", somewhat analogous to the Carnival tradition that developed separately in countries of Latin Europe. The term "Shrove Tuesday" is no longer widely known in the United States outside of Liturgical Traditions, such as the Lutheran, Episcopal, and Roman Catholic Churches. [3][4] Because of the increase in many immigrant populations and traditions since the 19th century "Mardi Gras" is much more widely-used.
The festival is widely associated with the eating of foods such as pancakes, and often known simply as Pancake Day, originally because these used up ingredients such as fat and eggs, the consumption of which was traditionally restricted during Lent.
For my immediate family, it's a time to go to IHOP and eat pancakes and talk about what we'll be giving up for Lent, if anything. My daughter usually gives up a consumable...meat, sweets, etc. My husband usually gives up Lent for Lent, in which he does not give up anything. I usually give up something more cerebral, that occupies too much of my time. One year I gave up gossip, one year it was anger (THAT one got a lot of quarters in the Lent jar!!), and this year I'm going to try to give up my "can'ts". You know, "I can't do this because I'm tired or I don't have time, or someone else is sucking my energy and attention and time, or...." So the excuses are gone for this Lenten season! No more "I've been too busy to go to the gym and feel good." No more "I'm too tired to cook dinner, let's eat out." No more "I've been out one weekend, I will cancel my activities for the next." No more "I don't know what to say, so I'll blog later." These are the things that get in my way of enjoying my life. I love to go to the gym, cook, and go out and see family and friends! I also love to blog. So no more excuses!! Here's the post for today! Expect more soon!
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