Everything You Need To Know About Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday And Easter

Fat Tuesday — that’s on March 4 this year — is a day of indulgence and celebration that marks the end of the carnival season of Mardi Gras and the beginning of Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance in Catholicism and other Christian denominations leading up to Easter.

Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday are synonyms. Mardi is the French word for Tuesday and gras means “fat.” it is the final day of the carnival season marked by partying, parades, elaborate masks, colorful beads, indulgent foods and even debauchery.

French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville brought the tradition to America when they landed near present-day New Orleans on March 3, 1699. Realizing it was the eve of the festive holiday, they held a small celebration at the landing spot, which they christened as Point du Mardi Gras, according to History.com.

A celebration in the tiny settlement of Fort Louis de la Mobile in 1703, and in New Orleans in 1718, according to a history on the Mardi Gras New Orleans website.

The rowdy New Orleans Mardi Gras were halted when the Spanish ruled the Big Easy from 1762 to 1800, and U.S. authorities did the same after taking control of the city in 1803 and outlawed both masked balls and public disguises. The bans were lifted when Louisiana became a state in 1812. Louisiana is the only state to make Mardi Gras a legal holiday.

Why Is Paczki Day Celebrated?

In some cities with large Polish communities, Fat Tuesday is known as Paczki Day.

Paczki — pronounced “puhnch-kee” — are jelly-filled fried pastries Polish immigrants brought with them when they settled in the Midwest and Northeast. They were traditionally made before the Lenten holiday to use up all the sweets and butters before the Lenten period of abstinence from such indulgences.

Depending on where you live (and your palate), you may observe Fat Tuesday as Pancake Day, which originated in the United Kingdom; Faschnaut Day, a tradition in German communities. Faschnaut is similar to paczki.

King cakes are also eaten, though according to legend, these cakes frequently appear from the Epiphany on Jan. 6 through Fat Tuesday to mark the arrival of the three wise men to Bethlehem to deliver gifts to the newborn Jesus. A plastic baby is often hidden inside the cakes.

However, Fat Tuesday is celebrated, it’s a last opportunity to cut loose before the more somber religious celebrations begin with Ash Wednesday on March 5.

What Happens On Ash Wednesday?

In Roman Catholic churches, ashes are applied in the shape of a cross on the foreheads of the faithful to mark the beginning of Lent. In many cases, devout people wear the crosses throughout the day to publicly profess their faith.

The ashes symbolize penance, mourning and mortality. Typically, the priest will apply the ashes while saying, “Remember you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

The ashes are prepared by burning palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration, which falls every year on the Sunday before Easter.

Other Christians observing Ash Wednesday include Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians and other Protestants. Some Baptists observe Ash Wednesday, but a majority of evangelical and Pentecostal Christians do not. Mormons also do not observe Ash Wednesday.

What Happens During Lent?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period of prayer, self-examination, penitence, and self-denial that ends on Holy Thursday (April 17 this year).

Catholics are encouraged not to eat meat on Fridays during Lent, prompting pop-up fish restaurants and fish fry events put on by local parishes and organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.

Many Catholics abstain from eating meat on all Fridays in keeping with a first-century practice, while others only abstain during Lent and on Good Friday. In 1966, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a pastoral statement that allowed Catholics to eat meat on Fridays, except on those leading up to Easter.

Catholics and Christians may fast, eat frugally or give up certain foods or beverages. Or, they may abstain from negative thoughts, indulgent habits or social media.

Many people spend time every day in prayer or self-reflection on how to be better Christians. Others observe the season through almsgiving, or giving of their time, talent or financial resources to a charity.

What Happens During Holy Week?

In Western Christianity, the last week of Lent is known as Holy Week.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and this year falls on April 13. It commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, where his path was covered with palm branches. This tradition is reflected in many churches, where congregants receive palm branches to carry with them during Palm Sunday worship services.

Here are the important dates to know:

April 17: Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples. This day marks the end of Lent.

April 18: Good Friday observes Christ’s crucifixion. In some churches, purple or black cloths are placed over religious objects. Some Christians fast, eating only one substantial meal.

April 20: Lent ends with Easter, which commemorates Christ’s resurrection. White cloths replace the darker cloths shrouding religious objects. Celebrations are joyous, a contrast to the somber observance of Lent. Many parishes and churches hold Easter sunrise services and breakfasts.