Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras....
...is the day before the start of Lent. It's name is derived from the old English practice of confessing one's sins on this day in preparation for the holy Lenten season. The verb "to shrive" means to confess oneself and receive absolution. The three day period, Sunday, Monday and Shrove Tuesday, was known as Shrovetide.
The Reformation brought an end to the ancient Roman Catholic practice of pre-Lenten shriving, at least in the countries that adopted Protestant beliefs. Some of the more secular customs lingered on although their causes were removed.
The church bell which once called the people to confession on Shrove Tuesday began to be known as the "pancake bell". Shrove Tuesday was also called Pancake Day since pancakes were traditionally eaten, a custom which survives in the pancake suppers held by many Episcopal churches on the eve of Lent. Originally the practice was a means of using up the milk, eggs, and fat which were not allowed to be eaten during the strict days of Lent.
A verse from "Poor Robin's Almanac" from 1684 says:
But hark, I hear the pancake bell,
And fritters make a gallant smell,
The cooks are baking, frying, broiling,
Stewing, mincing, cutting, boiling,
Carving, gormandizing, roasting,
Carbonating, cracking, slashing, toasting.
The most famous pancake bell is that of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Olney, England. As far back as 1445, the pancake bell first rang in their church, calling the parishioners to confession.
Legend has it that one woman was making pancakes when the bell rang, and grabbing the frying pan, ran out into the street toward the church, cooking the pancakes as she went. Soon there developed among the women of the town an annual race to the church, the women flipping griddlecakes all the while. The race is still being held, the course being from the pump to the market square, a distance of four hundred and fifteen yards.
We have had pancake races for the kids at our Church before.. they are always a hit!
We're heading out soon to enjoy the feast of pancakes that the men in our parish prepare tonite!
Come on over too! Serving from 5 - 7 p.m. All are welcome!
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