Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday

The day before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church.

Lent

A liturgical season lasting for 40 days that represents a time of penance, fasting, and prayer.

Abstinence

The practice of not eating meat, particularly during Ash Wednesday and Fridays of Lent.

Penance

Actions taken to atone for sins, often through fasting and self-denial.

Almsgiving

The act of giving financial or material support to those in need.

Fasting

Limiting the amount of food consumed, required of Catholics above the age of fourteen during Lent.

Ash Wednesday

The first day of Lent, marked by the application of ashes to the forehead.

Holy Week

The week preceding Easter, characterized by intensified religious practices.

Easter Triduum

The three-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, encompassing Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

Mardi Gras

French for 'Fat Tuesday', celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday.

Carnivale

Literally means 'farewell to meat'; another term for Shrovetide.

Pancake Day

The name for Shrove Tuesday in English-speaking countries due to the tradition of consuming pancakes.

Acts of Penance

Good deeds performed as a sign of repentance and faith.

Holy Thursday

The day of the Last Supper when Jesus shared his final meal with his disciples.

Good Friday

The day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus.

Judas Iscariot

The apostle who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Spy Wednesday

The day before Holy Thursday, noted for Judas's betrayal of Jesus.

RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the process for adult converts to receive sacraments.

Sacraments of Initiation

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, which are rites of passage in Christianity.

Eucharist

The Christian sacrament commemorating the Last Supper, where bread and wine are consecrated.

Mortality

The state of being subject to death, emphasized during Ash Wednesday.

Forty days

The duration of Lent, symbolizing the time Jesus spent fasting in the desert.

Palm Sunday

The Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Psalms

Sacred songs or hymns in the Bible, often used in liturgical contexts.

Crucifixion

The execution method used on Jesus, central to Christianity's understanding of redemption.

Scourged

Whipped or beaten severely, referring to what Jesus experienced before his crucifixion.

Pharisees

A religious group in Judea during Jesus's time, noted for their strict adherence to the Law.

Sanhedrin

The assembly of Jewish religious leaders during the time of Jesus.

Pontius Pilate

The Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus.

Herod the Great

The king of Judea who also dealt with Jesus during the trial.

Last Supper

The final meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion.

Betrayal

The act of turning against someone, exemplified by Judas's actions towards Jesus.

Sin

An act against divine law that Christians seek to atone for.

Confession

The sacrament in which one admits sins and seeks forgiveness, often associated with penance.

Easter Vigil

The liturgical celebration occurring on Holy Saturday, marking the anticipation of Easter.

Mortality

The quality of being subject to death, a central theme of Lenten reflection.

Lenten fast

Originally a severe period of fasting, now reduced to specific days in the liturgical calendar.

Lent

A period of reflection, fasting, and prayer in preparation for Easter.

Eucharistic celebration

Solemn Mass where Catholics celebrate the Eucharist, remembering the Last Supper.