What is the Sunday before Fat Tuesday called?

The Sunday before Fat Tuesday is a special day in the Christian calendar. It marks the beginning of Shrovetide, a period of preparation for Lent, the season of fasting and penance that leads up to Easter.

Shrovetide lasts from the last Sunday before Lent until Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday. The name Fat Tuesday comes from the tradition of using up all the rich and fatty foods in the house before starting the Lenten fast. Some of these foods include meat, eggs, milk, cheese, butter and lard.

Different countries and regions have their own ways of celebrating Shrovetide and Fat Tuesday. In France, people enjoy crepes, pastries and parades. In Germany, they eat doughnuts, sausages and beer. In England, they make pancakes and play games. In Poland, they feast on paczki, jelly-filled donuts. And in New Orleans, they throw a huge carnival with music, costumes and beads.

Shrovetide and Fat Tuesday are not only about eating and having fun. They are also about confessing sins, seeking forgiveness and getting ready for the spiritual journey of Lent. They remind us of the joy and abundance that God has given us, and the sacrifice and grace that He offers us through His Son Jesus Christ.