Traditions and History

From Intern Beth…

Walking alongside you all throughout this year, I’ve had a blast learning about Saint Paul’s history, developing relationships within the congregation, stepping into the ministries of the church, and taking part in your traditions. Not wanting to pass up the invitation, I jumped at the opportunity to experience your Fat Tuesday tradition of lunch at The Brick.

Shrove Tuesday is held the day before Lent begins and marks a time of confession and consuming fatty foods before the start of the Lenten season. Christians have historically fasted throughout the 40 days of Lent, avoiding foods that come from animals including butter, eggs, and milk. Shrove Tuesday served as the day all those ingredients would be consumed prior to the season of confession and repentance leading up to Easter. Over the centuries, pancakes have become the perfect food that uses up all these ingredients. The Tuesday before Lent continues to be celebrated as Pancake Day in places around the world while other places celebrate the day as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday with a festival celebration containing rich, sweet foods.

As the festival has grown and changed throughout the years, some places have adopted their own practices into the celebrations. In Louisiana, Mardi Gras carnivals revolve around King Cakes instead of pancakes. The cake is a circular pastry that symbolizes the three King’s journey and arrival to meet baby Jesus. In King Cakes today, there is typically a small, plastic baby Jesus hidden inside. If you happen to get the baby Jesus in your piece, you are responsible for hosting the party and providing the cake next year.

Throughout the last couple years I have experienced three very different Shrove Tuesday celebrations. A few years ago, I was attending a church that had a big pancake dinner together and then burned the ashes for their Ash Wednesday service following the meal. For me this year really highlighted the symbolism of moving from celebration into the reflection and confession that we all walk through in Lent. Last year I happened to be in Geneva, Switzerland for Fat Tuesday where the group I was travelling with went to a local creperie. For me, that year represented more of a joyous celebration in the faith and fellowship of the students who gathered together for the week of exploring our faith. Then, this year I got to experience The Brick and the King Cake celebration where I felt an emphasis on the history and community at Saint Paul. And with that celebration, with your tradition of King Cakes, as someone who got a baby Jesus in my piece of cake, I will make sure the plans for a festive celebration and delicious pastry are in the hands of someone trustworthy for next year!