Pancake Tuesday

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Does your family or country have a tradition about the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Lenten fast begins? My family did not, though we did observe Lent. When I moved here, my Canadian roommate told us it was Pancake Tuesday. People used to believe they should get rid of all the fat and oil in their house before Lent began so they would remember to have a penitential spirit during Lent, and not feed the body interesting things so they could concentrate on spiritual growth. Ever since then, I have thought of Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") the day before Lent, as Pancake Tuesday. So I made some pancakes in my fantastic new frying pan. They were delicious. I'll post more about Lent after it begins.