March 2014
Of Our Lady Parish Newsletter
3500 Ames Blvd. Marrero, LA 70072
(504) 347-2203
vol.org
Good Stewards Know Fat Tuesday Leads To Easter Sunday
I suspect most of us know Mardi Gras
is French for Fat Tuesday. It’s a raucous,
wild blow out before Ash Wednesday. And,
within reason, that is what it is supposed to
be. Mardi Gras’ roots are Christian, at least
in derivation. It’s designed to be the “last
hurrah” before Lent begins.
Many people confuse Mardi Gras and
Carnival. They believe they are one and the
same. We, though, know better. Mardi is one
day only. Mardi Gras is literally Fat
TUESDAY. Carnival extends for weeks. It is
parade after parade after parade leading to
Mardi Gras.
Inside
Page 2
New Orleans St. Joseph Altars
Page 3
Stations of the Cross Added to Prayer
Garden
Page 4
Celebrating Catholic Schools Week
Page 6
Liturgical Ministry Spring Workshops,
Fr. Daniel Visits Rome
Page 7
Holy Week and Easter Events
What you probably don’t know is that the Church
understands Carnival is a natural connection between the high
celebration of Christmas and the sacrifices of Lent. We are
supposed to have a good time before midnight on Mardi Gras,
when the street sweepers push the crowds out of the French
Quarter and usher in a solemn season of repentance and penance.
Carnival is a word that derives from two Latin words:
carne and vale. Joined together the words mean “ farewell to the
flesh.” Like many Catholic celebrations, we stole it from the
Romans, who very likely stole it from pagans. Ancient Romans
observed what they called the Lupercalia, a circus-type festival
that honored Lupercus, a Roman god associated with the Satyr.
Both gods were known for riotous and lewd parties.
When Christianity finally became the state religion of
Rome, Church leaders knew, as a practical matter, Romans
would not give-up Lupercalia. So, they improvised. They toned
down the partying some, but they kept it. They gave a Christian
interpretation to Lupercalia. Lupercalia became Carnival, a time
to party hardy before the beginning of Lent.
So, why have we given the name Fat Tuesday to the last day
of Carnival? Why don’t we call it Party Tuesday? Well, because
the Church emphasizes abstinence during Lent and, back when,
people ate everything on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday that
they were not supposed to eat during Lent. People got fat on the
Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. They ate all the eggs, oil, butter
and all other rich foods prohibited at that time during Lent.
Have you heard Mardi Gras referred to as Shrove Tuesday?
Well, I believe that’s a misnomer. Shrove means to “confess.”
Confessing doesn’t much take place on the day before Lent begins.
I hope confession does happen during Lent, but the day
before Lent begins is strictly reserved these days for
partying.
I have one more piece of history for us. The official colors
of Carnival are purple, green and gold. They were selected
by the Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia when he
came to New Orleans in 1872 to date an actress named Lydia
Thompson. During his stay the Krewe of Rex honored
Romanoff by asking him to select Carnival’s colors.
(Continued on back cover)