GINA MORTIMER STORR

As a practicing Christian who follows the Anglican Faith, I look forward to what is known as Shrove Tuesday.

I must say, my enthusiasm for this event did not materilize until I relocated from my native Bahamas, to the United States. First as a member of Olivet Episcopal Church in Alexandria VA and now as a member of St Matthias Episcopal Church, Clermont Fl.

Delicious pancakes

While I must confess I don’t remember much about how we acknowledged this day back home, here in the US, Anglicans celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a delicious Pancake supper and I have not missed one! (I know, I know, it should not be about the pancakes and it’s not – just made me want to check it out and, I truly do like the overall event and not just the pancakes!!!)

So, bedsides the delicious pancake dinner, what is Shrove Tuesday all about?

Shrove Tuesday is a term associated with the United Kingdom and its Anglican traditions, especially Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the United States, for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.

The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, Christians are expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD.

I am looking forward to enjoying the Pancake dinner at my local church this evening, and using the upcoming Lenten season as a time of reflection and growth.

God Bless.

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