Shrove Tuesday
Tuesday, February 13
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the penitential season of Lent. In some parts of Europe and the Americas, Shrove Tuesday is the last day of Carnival. In historically Francophone cultures it is known as Mardi Gras (French for “Fat Tuesday”), as any visitor to New Orleans will attest.
The name “Shrove Tuesday” comes from the verb “to shrive” which means to absolve people of their sins. During the Middle Ages, “shriveners” (priests) heard people’s confessions in preparation for Lent.
What does that have to do with pancakes?
Traditionally, many who fasted during Lent did not consume milk or eggs, so the practice was to use up those ingredients on Shrove Tuesday, before the fast began. Variations on the pancake tradition are observed in many countries, including Britain, Ireland, Australia and Canada. In Sweden, Iceland and some parts of the United States, Shrove Tuesday menus offer other time-honored fare, including salt ham, peas, pea soup and other foods. At St. Stephen’s, we stick with pancakes, accompanied by sausage and apples.
A St. Stephen's tradition is to have a bonfire in the courtyard during the supper, burn dried palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, and use the ashes at Ash Wednesday services the next day. Many parishioners like to bring in palms they've saved to add to the bonfire.
Shrove Tuesday 2024: February 13
The burning of the palms at 6:15 p.m. is brief but dramatic! If you have palms left over from last Palm Sunday, bring them to church before Shrove Tuesday to be added to the fire. A basket is placed under the large table at Information Central to receive the palms. (Information Central is located just outside the parish office, across from the inside entrance to Palmer Hall.)
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Supper is served in two seatings: one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 6:30 p.m. The suggested donation is $10 per person, with a maximum of $30 per family. If you plan to come, it's helpful for us to know; please fill in this simple form.
The menu:
- pancakes
- fried potatoes
- sausage
- vegetarian 'sausage' patties
- scrambled eggs
- decaf coffee, water, and orange juice