In French, “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday,” so named because it falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent, a 40-day season of prayer and fasting, which ends on Easter Sunday. In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.
At Nativity, we celebrate Mardi Gras with a pancake dinner prepared and served by our youth groups. Children’s crafts are provided and you’ll probably go home with some beads, too!