Coming from a Protestant tradition, I grew up hearing about Lent but never having any practice associated with it. In the years since, I've gathered that there's some sort of connection between Easter, Lent, Ash Wednesday, and Fat Tuesday.
Would someone please explain how it all fits together?
Lent is a period of penance in preparation for Triduum (Maundy Thurs. through Easter Sun). The faithful are encouraged to increase their works of mercy and decrease their self-indulgence. It begins on Ash Wednesday, which is 40 days (minus Sundays) before the Triduum.
So called because it invokes the ancient practice of covering oneself in ashes when in morning. Often it is accompanied by, "Thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return." As a side note: the ashes are generally from (at least in part), the palms of the previous Palm Sunday.
Well, "Mardi gras" means "Fat Tuesday" in French, so there's that.
Fats and fatty foods are often given up for Lent (at one point abstaining from all meat was a requirement), but fat will go rancid if it is left out for all of Lent. So, instead of letting it go to waste, it would be used for cooking. Often this would mean that there would be a rich supper immediately before Ash Wednesday.
It is called, "Carnevale" because that, originally, was "Carne vale," which means, roughly, "without meat." I believe the relationship with "Fat Tuesday" would be obvious (for more ways of saying the same thing, look up Shrove Tuesday).
Unfortunately, with the rise of secularism, this tradition became bloated and corrupt, and eventually lead to the depravities which can be seen in New Orleans.
We all know what Easter is... I hope. It is the Teutonic name for an ancient pagan festival, brought to mean the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, apparently because the German speakers were too lazy to use the word pasch, which is what it is called in basically every other language on earth.
Here's the Catholic Lenten Cliffnotes. I see I've been beaten to the punch at answering, but what the heck.
The connection is that Mardi Gras is the last chance to celebrate before Lent.
So, if properly observed, you've just completed a quarter of the year, Catholic style.
I'd like to add some comments from a Protestant who lived in New Orleans for 4 years. I like the idea of Lent as a time to reflect on what Christ's sacrifice means to us, and a way to draw closer to Him as we approach the celebration of His resurrection, and I have used this in church settings. Unfortunataly, for some it is merely an outward ritual that does not reach to their soul (true in all denominations). In New Orleans, more emphasis seems to be on the carnival than the self-denial. Despite falling during the Lenten season, St. Patrick's Day (3/17) and St. Joseph's Day (3/19) are celebrated with parades and parties. It is our challenge to lead others to the true meaning behind these rituals. By the way, an alternative translation of carne vale that I have heard is "farewell to the flesh," not only in the sense of giving up meat but also getting outside ourselves and closer to God.
