OLDS — Holy Trinity Catholic School students in Olds had breakfast in their classrooms Tuesday to observe Shrove Tuesday, the last day of the pre-Lenten season.
Students lined up on March 4 to receive pancakes, syrup and sausages cooked and served by members of the Knights of Columbus Father Forsythe Council 4748 and members of St. Stephen’s Catholic Women’s League.
In several religious denominations, Shrove Tuesday is the last day of the Shrovetide, the pre-Lenten period. Traditionally, believers would visit the church on that day to confess their sins and be “shriven” (forgiven) for those sins. Traditionally, pancakes were eaten as a way to use up eggs and fat before fasting through Lent.
Lent is a 40-day period of sacrifice – and fasting in some religious denominations – which ends at Easter. It pays homage to the 40 days and 40 nights Jesus spent fasting in the desert, being tempted by Satan.
People observing Lent are encouraged to use that period for self-reflection regarding sins they have committed and areas where they could improve their spiritual growth.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day that involves fasting and no consumption of meat in some religious denominations.
“Holy Trinity (Catholic School) has been participating in Shrove Tuesday for as long as we can remember,”
Tammy Crusch, a faith coach and Grade 5 teacher at the school wrote in a message for the Albertan.
“Although it has changed and evolved over the years, we have always been excited to participate in this long-standing tradition.
“As we begin this season of Lent, we are reminded of the importance of our community of faith and the mission to love and serve one another that comes to the forefront in this season,” Crusch added.
The Albertan interviewed two Grade 5 Holy Trinity School students for their thoughts on the importance of the day.
“It means a ton of preparation for the big event to come up and to get ready for it,” Zach Webb said.
Stella Bos agreed.
“It just makes me get excited about Lent. Ash Wednesday is tomorrow and stuff,” she said, adding that on Ash Wednesday, “they put crosses on our heads to remind us that we are all sinners.”
