Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday...


Tradition. My years are filled with earthly and spiritual traditions. They are welcome landmarks along the journey.

Here are just a few that I'd like to share.

MARDI GRAS

Mardi Gras is said to have come to the New World in 1699, with a Canadian explorer named Pierre LeMoyne d'Ibersville, who founded the colony in Louisiana.

D'Iverville's father had been an indentured servant when he arrived in Canada and grew wealthy in Montreal. His son, Pierre, distinguished himself as a soldier during efforts to keep the English our of the Hudson Bay area. Soon, the French asked him to find the mouth of the Mississippi River along the gulf and to establish a fort there.

On March 3, 1600, d'Iverville landed on the shores of the Mississippi near the Gulf. He name the spot Point de Mardi Gras, in honor of the holiday being celebrated that day in France.

PANCAKE DAY

For Catholics in some regions of the world, the day before Ash Wednesday is Pancake Day. Some suggest that serving pancakes on this day became a popular way to use up fat, butter and eggs before Lent got underway.

*****
In England, a Pancake Day Race has been held on this day before Lent for over 500 years--begun allegedly when a woman cooking pancakes heard the church bells summoning her to services. In her hast, she rushed out of her house still holding her frying pan.
From the Little Black Book 2009/2010

Please share your traditions. How do you prepare for Lent?

Tomorrow the Lenten Journey begins in earnest. Inviting you to be a companion on the Journey to Calvary.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God
Beautiful picture courtesy of Holly at Banner Haus.

9 comments:

  1. Great post! I can't believe it's already that time of year. We always celebrate with those delicious donuts with the tons and tons of calories.

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  2. This is so interesting, a few facts I've never heard before, thanks for sharing.

    We'll be going to a Mardi Gras celebration at my brother-in-law's Lutheran church tonight if the weather is okay. It's sort of a welcome home to his church members that just got back from a trip rebuilding in New Orleans, last year my brother-in-law went but this year he wasn't able to do the trip. We had so much fun at the celebration last year that we decided to go again this year.

    Also thanks so much for visiting my post and for all your kind words of support. I appreciate it so much.

    My computer is still in the shop (they say they can't figure out what's wrong with it yet!) so it will be awhile before I start blogging again.

    Love to you,
    Eileen

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  3. Happy "Fat Tuesday" Cathy!! My heart is full of joy as we prepare for Lent!!

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  4. Thank you for visiting my Blog and for commenting there.

    May God bless you and your family always.

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  5. I am chuckling, Cathy! Why? Because right before I read your post, a really sweet Boy Scout knocked on my door. He was selling DOUGHNUTS!! And I purchased TWO DOZEN! Well, I am not giving up sugar or sweets for Lent.

    I have found that people always say they are giving up soda, sweets, GUM, beer, and a lot of other things. But I, this year, suddenly realized that what I NEED to give up more than anything is not turning to Him in all matters. I am giving up WORRY . . and trust me, this is NOT going to be easy for me. I know that I will be in prayer a LOT, but I love to pray and if I can give up worry for all of Lent, than it is my prayer that I will learn to give up worry altogether. Pray for me, that I will be on the wagon for good!

    God bless you, Cathy. I am looking forward so very much to taking this journey with you!

    Abbey

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  6. Hope yo have a very blessed Lent, Cathy!

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  7. That is a very interesting story and thanks for sharing it . I don't have any lenten tradition but I have a surprise and I hope you will accept it . I have nominated your blog for the Beautiful Blogger Award ! come by my blog and pick it up here .

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  8. I had pancakes and bacon for supper, wanted to use up the bacon before Lent and the 3 pancakes I ate were so good....I could of ate more but knew I was full so stopped. Lent is one of my favorite times of year, I so love it as I seem to focus on prayer and helping others more than I usually do. It is a time for cleansing, purification and receiving God's favours......:-) Hugs

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  9. :-) Pancake day?? that's a new one to me. but Mardi Gras big parties started in kinda the same way...use up all the stuff no one will be eating for the next 48 days.... :-)

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Your insightful comments are appreciated and I want all to feel comfortable and welcome.