Shrove Tuesday

Christian tradition · pancakes · celebration

Pancake feast day. On Shrove Tuesday, people eat pancakes and other sweet treats because it was the last chance to use up butter, eggs, and sugar before giving up rich foods for Lent. In some places, the day is even called Pancake Day.

Final countdown. Shrove Tuesday is the very last day of Shrovetide, a special time leading up to Lent. The day right after it is Ash Wednesday, which kicks off Lent, a 40-day period when many Christians reflect and make sacrifices.

Going to confession. Traditionally, people use Shrove Tuesday to confess their sins and get ready spiritually for the solemn season of Lent. The word 'shrive' actually means to hear confession.

Burning old palms. During Shrove Tuesday, churches burn palm branches left over from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration. Those ashes are then used to mark people's foreheads on Ash Wednesday.

Plan your sacrifice. Shrove Tuesday is the day when people decide what they'll give up or do differently during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. It's a time for setting intentions and preparing the heart.