2-21-2023 6:58pm

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, and the Beginning of the Lenten Season

Christine Larkin Editor

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SKYLARK'S FEATURED ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - MARDI GRAS, FAT TUESDAY, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE LENTEN SEASON

Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, and Lent, oh my! What a trifecta! It’s time to break out your beads and get in your last bites of king cake – Mardi Gras time is here. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, depending on where the celebration is taking place. In Venice, it's called Carnivale. There may be no more glorious place to celebrate in lavish costumes and masks than in this decadent city. Make sure to take a gondola ride. Let the Lenten Season begin.

Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, Pierre Le Moyne de Bienville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century, when King Louis XIV sent the pair to defend France's claim on the territory of Louisiana, which included what are now the U.S. states of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and part of eastern Texas. It refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. It is the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season.

The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans, Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins Epiphany) to Ash Wednesday. Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras. In Mobile, Alabama, Mardi Gras–associated social events begin in November, followed by mystic society balls on Thanksgiving, then New Year's Eve, followed by parades and balls in January and February, celebrating up to midnight before Ash Wednesday. In earlier times, parades were held on New Year's Day. Carnival is an important celebration in Anglican and Catholic European nations. Venice has a two-week Carnivale leading up to Ash Wednesday, and its history is rich in tradition. Venetians have been celebrating Carnivale dating back to 1162. According to legend, the Carnival of Venice began after the military victory of the Venetian Republic over the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven. In honor of this victory, the people started to dance and gather in San Marco Square in the heart of Venice. Friends of mine went this year and said it was "over the top fantastico!"

Now, onto more somber matters. The Lenton Season. Lent is the six-week season that leads up to Easter. The Lenten season is one of the most significant times of the year for many Christians around the world, especially those within the Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox churches, held at a comparable level of meaning to Advent, the arrival of Christmas. While Advent is a time of rejoiceful anticipation, Lent is commonly regarded as a period of sober observance. The Lenten season is a preparation for commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. From its start date on Ash Wednesday until its conclusion on Easter Sunday, Lent has been a customary time for fasting, giving something up, or abstinence. Just as we thoughtfully prepare for events in our individual lives, such as weddings or birthdays, participating in Lent invites us to prepare our minds and hearts for glorifying Jesus’ life, death, and bodily resurrection. Ash Wednesday starts Lent with a day of remembering our humanity, the reality of death, and the need for repentance. Churches symbolize this by putting ashes on foreheads, often in the shape of a cross.

As Christians enter this holy season, non-Christians can make good use of this time as well. Why not look at it as a time to reflect on your life and consider what you'd like to do better. Maybe it's being kinder, more patient, more understanding, more forgiving, or more compassionate. We always feel better when we help others, so this could be a good time to give to your favorite charity. Whether it's your time, your spirit, your money, or all three, this is a good time of year to extend the olive branch. Porgere il ramo d'ulivo.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and beyond, taking time to pause, reflect, and give back is good for our mind, body, and soul.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - ST. PATRICK PARISH

In the heart of Bay Shore is St. Patrick Parish. This Friday is the Stations of the Cross beginning at 7:30pm, and on Sunday, there will be seasonal music beginning at 3:00pm. All are welcome.

For more information, visit www.stpatrickbayshore.org

SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR by ANDREW LLOYD WEBER

Lyrics to Jesus Christ Superstar

Every time I look at you
I don't understand
Why you let the things you did
Get so out of hand
You'd have managed better
If you'd had it planned
Now why'd you choose such a backward time
And such a strange land?
If you'd come today
You could have reached a whole nation
Israel in 4 BC
Had no mass communication
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong, now
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong, now
Don't you get me wrong
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know, now
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know, now
Only want to know
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Tell me what you think
About your friends at the top
Who do you think besides yourself
Was the pick of the crop?
Buddah was he where it's at?
Is he where you are?
Could Mohamed move a mountain
Or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that?
Was that a mistake or
Did you know your messy death
Would be a record breaker?
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong, now
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong
Don't you get me wrong, now
Don't you get me wrong
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know, now
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know
Only want to know, now
I only want to know
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Jesus Christ
Who are you? What have you sacrificed?
Jesus Christ Superstar
Do you think you're what they say you are?

Welcome to my weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, representing Bay Shore and beyond. My articles are about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been. There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Please consider becoming a subscriber. There are several levels, and it’s easy to do. Just open the newsletter and the subscribe button is there. As a subscriber, you will receive a copy of my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. You can do it yourself or email me to discuss this at christineskylark@aol.com. You can also PM me. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

I also have an inspirational vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, on the first Monday-of-the-month on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live. This is designed to inspire people 60 and beyond to continue to thrive through knowledge and self-awareness. Please take a moment to subscribe and click the bell to get notified when I upload a new video.

Thank you for your love and support. Andiamo!