PaczekToday is “Fat Tuesday.” What is Fat Tuesday? It is Mardi Gras in French. It is the festival New Orleans, Louisiana is known for.

The annual festivities start on January 6, the Twelfth Night Feast of the Epiphany, when the three kings are supposed to have visited the Christ Child, and build to a climax on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday. The parties and parades will continue until Lent begins at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday.

Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans. It is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter. Since the actual date Easter occurs on changes yearly, Mardi Gras can happen on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9. For two centuries it has been an annual event in New Orleans, except during the two World Wars. (holidayinsights.com)

paczkibig.jpgFat Tuesday is also called “Paczki Day” (pronounced “punch-key”) especially in the Chicago – Milwaukee area. It is from Polish tradition of baking and eating donuts (paczki) filled with stuff – usually a plumb based jelly, yummy. Some offer free pancakes on Fat Tuesday.

What is the real meaning of Fat Tuesday? It is a time that marks the beginning of the lent season, the 40+ days of anticipation of the Passion week of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection – leading up to Easter Sunday. It is probably the most important event in the entire Christendom if not the whole of history.

Traditionally during the next 40 or so days, people give up something that is meaningful for them in order to focus their attention to their need of a Savior. Are you giving up anything?