Shrove Tuesday

 


Today is Shrove Tuesday.

Traditionally, it is a day for people to start finalizing the decision on what Lenten penances and spiritual strategies to make, as well as a last chance to indulge in the things you might give up for Lent (like pancakes).   If you're looking for ideas on how to make a good Lent, check out the blogpost.

It shouldn't be a drudgery.  Catholics have learned how to have fun with Lenten preparation.  Some cultures (especially the Brits) traditionally had pancake breakfasts and even pancake-flipping races in honor of the day!

Traditionally, it was observed by going to confession (hence the name, Shrove, which comes from an old English word meaning to be absolved from one's sins).  

Because of the icy weather this year, I didn't offer extra confessions.  Hope to for next year.

It is a (sad) sign of our times that people remember the secular part of the day but not the religious.  That's why more people know this as Mardi Gras (the French word for fat Tuesday) because the food with fat in it, such as pancakes, was eaten up before that was banned for the Lenten season.   But sadly, most Americans have embraced the indulgence (Mardi Gras parties) without the fasting, abstinence, prayer and penance of Lent, meaning there is no spiritual gain.

I didn't have confessions today, but I will offer all sorts of additional confession hours this Lenten season: before and after most of my Masses, before and after Stations of the Cross, and so on.  It gets a little tricky, because I have to rotate parishes.  The easiest way to check on the schedule will be to to go the parish's internet calendar (also available on the My Parish smartphone app).  [Note that this calendar comes up by default in Month mode.  Easier to read in Day mode, if you go to the dropdown selector in upper right).   

Note to St. Mary parishioners: I would like to have confession before Sunday Masses, but because I am coming from St. Peter on a tight schedule, this is not always possible.  If the light is on outside the confession room door before Mass, that is your cue that I am in.  I will hear after Sunday Mass throughout Lent. 

You are always welcome to call me for an appointment for confession as well.  513-553-3267 or 513-734-4041 ext. 4

I'll be posting the confession schedule around church.  Both confessions rooms have guides reminding you how to go to confession if you are a little rusty.   Feel free to take one home or print it out from here. 

It's a great idea to go as a family sometime during Lent.   If your children or grandchildren need a confession guide, here's one geared to their age level. 

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