Holidays Around The World � Christian Calendar

Easter Is Celebrated Around the World

Noel — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 10:00:09 +0000

Easter Date: April 4

Easter is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world.

On the Christian calendar there are very few festivals that command the respect that Easter does. The festival is very strong in its motive in that it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God, who sacrificed himself to rid mankind of sins. Easter is said to bring to its Christian followers a new lease on life.

While the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on a different timetable than the Catholic and Protestant churches, 2010 offers a rare time when both branches of Christianity celebrate it on the same day. There are only a few times every century that the day is the same across both branches, making April 4, 2010 a little more special to some people.

History of Easter

Easter itself is said to have originated from the Germanic calendar, and is said to have been named after the goddess Ēostre. The holiday has had a tumultuous past, full of both criticism and acclaim. One of the first controversies occurred in the second century when there was debate whether the holiday—then often called Pascha—should remain on Nisan 14 of the Hebrew calendar. The controversy would continue in a different form during the third and fourth century, focusing on whether the holiday should be based on the Jewish calendar.

As time passed, the dates of celebration were calculated through complicated methodology involving the lunisolar cycles. The divide that was created between the followers of Western and Eastern Christianity meant that every year Easter would be celebrated on different days depending on the calendar that was followed by Western or Eastern Christianity. The Catholic Church however laid out the clear dates for celebration of Easter using the lunisolar methods and always make it a point to publish it in their churches for general viewing.

In the past, Easter celebration would include a sumptuous meal, quality time spent with family, and offering prayers to Jesus. Recently, newer ways of celebrating the festival have appeared with the introduction of the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts that have now gained cult status as a part of Easter celebrations, especially in the Americas. The more secular and religious observers of the religion have also followed suit by decorating eggs for the festival.

Easter Traditions, Customs and Activities

Christian followers all over the world offer their prayers during the month of Easter that begins with Easter week. The festival follows a series of other Christian celebrations ranging from Maundy Thursday that is celebrated three days before Easter, and also Good Friday, another popular and much celebrated Christian festival. Lent, a period of fasting and prayers, ends on Easter day.

Easter celebrations vary from region to region. In Central Europe, for example, there are more diverse practices followed during Easter including the spanking of women using sticks of whips. The spanking isn’t intended to be painful but, as the legend goes, is a practice to help women retain their beauty and health.

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Good Friday Celebrated by Christians Around the World

Noel — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:00:54 +0000

Good Friday: April 2

Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world.

Good Friday is observed during the Christian Holy Week and falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday. The day is observed with fasting and praying by many Christian believers as they remember the judgment, passion, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus Christ. It is also known as Sexta-feira Santa (Holy Friday), or even Sexta-feira Negra (Black Friday).

History of Good Friday

Following the accounts of the Gospels, Good Friday remembers the events of the Passion of Christ, when Jesus was betrayed in the garden Gethsemane by Judas, later brought down from the cross where he died and buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

The origin of the name of the holiday is currently unclear. Theologians speculate that it originates from “God’s Friday” while others speculate German origins from Gute Freitag.

The tradition of celebrating Good Friday started as early as the fourth century. A manuscript detailing the travels of a Gallic woman named Egeria now called Itinerarium Egeriae gives early accounts of what could be considered Good Friday ceremonies. The veneration of the cross is speculated to have begun around the late seventh or early eighth century.

Over time, the various branches and churches of Christianity have fashioned their own practices surrounding the celebration of Good Friday.

Good Friday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Traditions and customs vary around the world on Good Friday. In the Catholic Church, for example, modern customs prohibit the consumption of meat on Good Friday as a form of penance. Roman Catholics as well as members of other denominations have adopted the custom of eating fish and vegetables on this day. Eastern Orthodox Christians are told not to eat at all on this day.

Other non-denominational customs prevail around the world. In Ireland, the sale of alcohol on Good Friday is prohibited, and all pubs and some restaurants close as well. In Bermuda, kites of wood, cloth, tissue paper, and string are flow as a symbol of Jesus’ ascension into Heaven. In the United States and India, the stock market closes for the observance of Good Friday.

Some customs have become controversial over the years. Germany’s enforcement of restrictions placed on theater and public dancing performances on Good Friday have come under fire in recent years by non-Christians. The closing of bars and restaurants in Ireland has caused secular business owners to complain about loss of earnings.

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Maundy Thursday Observed by Christians Around the World

Noel — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 10:00:27 +0000

Maundy Thursday: April 1

Maundy Thursday is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

Maundy Thursday is a Christian feast that is celebrated on the Thursday before Easter. This day celebrates the final meal of Jesus Christ with his apostles in the Cenacle, just before his Passion. It is celebrated after Holy Wednesday and before Good Friday. It is also known as Holy Thursday, Thursday of Mysteries, and Great and Holy Thursday.

History of Maundy Thursday

Maundy derives from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment”. At the table of the Last Supper, Jesus gave the Apostles a new commandment: “And I now give you a new commandment, love one another. As I loved you, so you must love one another,” from the Gospel of John.

It was also the night when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, as he said that the disciples should break the bread in his memory. The Last Supper was served in the Cenacle or Upper Room, believed to be the house owned by John Mark and his mother, Mary. It was the same room where the apostles gathered after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christian Churches during Mass on Maundy Thursday will follow certain common traits like the forgiving of venial and deadly sins, the washing of the feet, the blessing of the oil to be used in sacraments, the ceasing of the bells until Easter Sunday, and the stripping of the altar. All are symbols of the night of the Last Supper.

Maundy Thursday Traditions, Customs and Activities

On Maundy Thursday, all over the world, Christians celebrate the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with a special Eucharist, during which the celebrating priest will wash and kiss the feet of chosen people from the community. During the morning Mass, the local Bishop will bless oils which will later be used in different sacraments such as baptism. After the mass, as psalms and antiphons are recited, the altar is left empty. The altar is a symbol of Christ, and its emptiness represents the way that he was abandoned by the apostles.

Vigils are held during the night, in remembrance of what happened to Jesus after the Last Supper in Gethsemane just before he was arrested. The churches are decorated in royal purple or red violet, the colors of Lent. Some communities of Christians on this day also organize pot-luck dinners, in significance of the communion lived among the disciples and Jesus during the Last Supper.

In Germany it is known as Green Thursday, and the traditional foods served on this day are green vegetables and green salad. This tradition is also followed in some Latin American countries. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, groups of children shake with wooden rattles in the place of the church bell. In several countries there is a tradition of people visiting seven churches as a sign of penance. In Sweden the day is related to the day of witches, a time when children dress as witches and knock on doors to get candies, just like Halloween in the United States.

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The Events of Holy Week

Carol — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:17:52 +0000

Holy Week starts on the Tuesday preceding Easter.

Holy Week is public holidays in Guatemala and Uruguay.

The Holy Week occurs on the last week of Lent preceding Easter, or commonly known as a Resurrection Day of the Christ Jesus. Lent is the forty-day period counting from Ash Wednesday until Black Saturday with Sundays excluded from counting.

The Roman Catholic Church has prescribed rules on the observance of Holy Week which includes fasting, self-denial, penitence, prayer, and thanksgiving. The event commemorates the suffering of Jesus Christ (Passion of Christ) and his eventual death by crucifixion.

The celebration of Holy Week varies from year to year simply because the date of Easter in Christian liturgical calendar varies yearly. For 2010 for example, the celebration of Easter was marked on April 4, the week preceding that date is the Holy Week. If you count 40 days back from April 4, excluding Sundays, that will point back to Ash Wednesday which was observed on February 17.

History of Holy Week

There are no records with clear-cut accounts to Holy Week, but indirect reference was made on Apostolical Constitutions written in the late 400AD commanding the faithful, especially the clergy, on the rules of observance of Easter and the week before it.

Codex Theodosianus, laws compiled during the time of the Holy Roman Empire also provides guidelines on the cessation of administration and conduct of justice in the courts of law. Later, accounts in the book ‘The Pilgrimage of Etheria’ describes how early Churches observe the holiday along with its completion.

During the time of the Holy Roman Empire, Christians give Palm Sunday, the Sunday preceding Holy Week, special attention through celebration. Today, Palm Sunday is commemorated by Catholics by bringing with them palm leaves during mass service with the clergy focusing their sermons on the life of Jesus especially on his successful entry into Jerusalem and his life leading to crucifixion. The books of the Bible namely Matthew, Mark, and Luke are read during the religious discourse.

Maundy Thursday; The Last Supper

The Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus and His disciples’ Last Supper. It is also the day when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.

Disciple John who is an author of one of the books in the Bible offers details of Jesus’ life on this day (John 13 – 17). Mathew, Mark, and Luke also share the same stories about Jesus’ before his crucifixion (Luke 22:14-35, Matthew 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26).

The word “Maundy” came from Latin “Mandatum novum” which means ‘new commandment’ as written on John 13:34. This simply means that the Lord Jesus gave new mandate given by Jesus upon his disciples where it says,

”A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another as I have loved you.”Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos

In 2010, Maundy Thursday falls on April 1.

Good Friday

Good Friday is known as the day which commemorates the death of Jesus by crucifixion. The liturgical color that describes this day is red (previously black). The faithful, especially among the Catholics, consider this day as a day of strict fasting. It’s when full abstinence on meat and other bodily desires, and penance is observed. It is also known as Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion and Great Friday.

Some of the great traditions on Good Friday are the reading or singing of the Gospel of John (John 18:1-19:4), or part of it, in the Roman Catholic Church. Also, the cross is venerated usually by kneeling before it or kissing part of it as a sign of respect. People usually stop any form of work at 3:00 PM, a time when Jesus was believed to have died on the cross at Calvary.

Good Friday is scheduled on April 2 for this year (2010).

Holy Saturday; Latin: Sabbatum Sanctum

The Holy Saturday is the day just before Easter, and is the last day of Lent. Holy Saturday falls on April 3 in 2010. The clergy usually wears violet or purple as a Liturgical sign on this day.

The Holy Saturday represents Jesus lying in the tomb until his eventual resurrection on Easter. For the faithful, this is the time to reflect on the Lord’s passion faithfully waiting for the Lord’s resurrection on Easter.

The Roman Catholics consider this tradition as the Hour of the Mother or Mary. Just as Mary waited for her son’s triumph over death, the faithful also contemplate on this day as they wait for Christ’s resurrection on Easter.

Holy Week: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Christians, especially the members of the Catholic Churches such as the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Roman Catholic Church follows strict fasting and penance (remorse for past misconducts).

Pope Paul VI in 1966 made clearer rules on how penance and fasting should be done in order to provide the clergy and the public a guide that encompasses both the individuals who are required to fast and the type of food that should be avoided.

Meat is basically forbidden, including processed food made of fat and meat, and milk products but excluding eggs. However, soup made of meat juices are permitted such as chicken broth, soups cooked from meat or event the flavored ones.

Pilgrimage is also encouraged. However, since International travel is expensive, most people would content themselves in visiting local churches and pilgrimage sites which is still seen as acts that are in keeping with the said obligation.

In the Philippines where the majority of the population are Roman Catholics, visita iglesia or church visits is a tradition during Holy Week. The faithful would usually choose to visit seven (7) local churches and say a prayer and their wishes during each visit. This tradition is in fact an old practice of penance among the Catholics in old Rome.

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Holy Saturday

Carol — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:16:38 +0000

Holy Saturday

The Holy Saturday, or Black Saturday, commemorates that Jesus Christ remained dead in the grave before his eventual resurrection in Easter Sunday. The Holy Saturday is part of the Holy Week, the last week of Lent, and the day after Jesus was crucified on the cross.

History of Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday commemorates the part where Jesus’ body remained dead in the tomb. It is referred to as Sabbath, the second day of the death of Jesus’ mortal body. Luke 23:56 reads,

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

King James Bible

In popular Catholic symbol, Apostle’s Creed, it says, “He descended unto dead.” This event highlights Christ’s battle against the death until he was resurrected on Easter.

The Holy Saturday is the most solemn part of the Holy Week because the faithful believe that Christ is dead during this time as the price he paid for saving humankind. Celebration usually happens at night at the performance of the Easter Vigil or The Great Service of Light.

Holy Saturday: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the Holy Saturday, no mass is celebrated. However, in emergency cases such as in the case of a dying person, an ordained priest may conduct a special mass.

Candles in church altars or tabernacle are usually put out to signify the death of Christ. In traditional liturgical calendar, Holy Saturday ends in sunset of Saturday after which the Easter Sunday celebration starts.

Churches conduct Easter Vigil on sundown of the Holy Saturday. During this time the Paschal candle is lit and special prayer is read. Remember that the candle is the symbol of Christ and it is put out during this day.

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Palm Sunday Observed by Christians Around the World

Noel — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 10:00:15 +0000

Palm Sunday: April 1

Palm Sunday is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

Palm Sunday is the last Sunday of Lent and marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is a celebration of the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem where he was welcomed by the people of the city with branches from the palm trees days before he was to be crucified.

History of Palm Sunday

Before Jesus entered Jerusalem to meet his death at the hands of the Romans and the Jewish authorities, he stayed in Bethany where he resurrected Lazarus. He sent some of the disciples ahead of him to get a donkey on which he could be carried as he entered Jerusalem. Additionally, he asked the owner of the house to prepare the Upper Room for the Last Supper.

As he was riding the donkey and nearing the city, everybody started to cheer him, for they believed he was the Messiah promised in the Scriptures to save them, and they remembered the recent miracle of the resurrection of Lazarus. While many people laid their clothes on the floor for Jesus to pass riding the donkey, other picked up branches from the palm trees, chanting: “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Christians began to celebrate Palm Sunday as the first day of Holy Week, and they have been doing so since the eighth or ninth century.

Palm Sunday Traditions, Customs and Activities

The main liturgical ceremonies of the day are: the blessing of the palms, the procession of the entrance of Jesus in Nazareth, the daily Mass, and the singing of the Passion during Mass. Palm branches are commonly symbols of joy and victory over enemies, and in Christianity they are signs of victory over the flesh and the world.

There are many traditions on this day. In Roman times, the emperors used to distribute small presents and branches of palm among their nobles and domestic helpers. And form early celebrations of the day, palms have been blessed and used in Mass. On this day, olive branches are blessed as symbols of Jesus prayer on Mount Olive. In some countries the crosses made with palm branches are decorated with flowers and are cut to make beautiful ornaments. In the Netherlands they are decorated with candies and bread. The palm branches are kept after the celebrations and held in front of the houses as sign of welcome to Jesus and all men of good faith.

In Catholic South American countries and in the Philippines, where the Christina faith is still effervescent, it is usual to re-enact the entrance of Jesus in Jerusalem with the priest arriving at the church riding a donkey while people great him with the palm branches and lay clothes on the ground. In other countries, like Portugal, it is a normal day where the ritual of Mass differs from the usual ritual, and the branches are used in the beginning of the Mass, while not much attention is given to these old traditions that seem to fall out of interest for the younger generations.

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St. Joseph’s Day Celebrated by Christians Around the World

Noel — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:00:20 +0000

St. Joseph’s Day: March 19

St. Joseph’s Day is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

March 19 is the date on which Christians venerate St. Joseph, husband of Mary, mother of Jesus. It is a feast in which Joseph is celebrated as patron of the universal Church; he has another feast on May 1 on which Joseph, the carpenter, is celebrated as a worker.

History of St. Joseph’s Day

Not much is known about St. Joseph; the only biblical stories that mention his presence are before the birth of Jesus and during his infancy. Even so, we do know that he was married to Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, and lived in Nazareth as a carpenter and a man of faith. These are the foundations of the Christian devotion to Saint Joseph.

It wasn’t until 1129 that the first church was dedicated to him. Only later, with appreciation of Joseph as a saint in the gospels, did he become more revered. Finally in 1621, March 19 was made a feast of obligation to Saint Joseph. The devotion to Saint Joseph increased significantly from then on, and in 1870, Pius IX declared him as patron of the Catholic Church.

As Catholic tradition states that Joseph died in the arms of Mary and Jesus, he is considered the patron saint of a happy death, by being able to die peacefully in the presence of his family. Among many other things, he is also the unofficial patron saint against doubt and hesitation, for he did as he was told by the angels when Mary became pregnant and protected her from the Law of the Jews and from persecution by Herod.

St. Joseph’s Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

In countries like Portugal and Spain, Father’s Day is also celebrated on March 19. It is a day in which children prepare gifts to give to their fathers and recognize the value of their presence in their lives. The day is celebrated close to Easter, and some years it occurs during Lent. When it does, it is much more sober feast when fasting and prayer are still observed as ordinances for the Lent Season. If it happens that it falls on the same days as Holy Week, it is moved to the next available date, since Easter takes precedence in the celebrations.

In Italy this is an important day, especially in Sicily, where St. Joseph is the patron of the city. It is said that at one point, the city went through a serious drought and food was lacking. The people of Sicily prayed to St. Joseph and promised to build a big altar of food every year for him if it rained, and soon it did.

Every year in the city, and also in many other parts of Italy, a table is set with plenty of food to offer to St. Joseph, gathered by everyone from the city. The food cannot have meat, and it always has fava beans, since this was the food in abundance at the time of the drought that saved the city from famine. The table is blessed by a priest and the feast begins. At the end, the table is destroyed and three children dressed as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus as a child go from door to door asking for shelter, staying at the home of the third knocked door. This tradition was brought to the United States by Sicilian immigrants who organize city-wide events, give food to charities, and hold parades in the Italian communities all over the US.

Also in the US, something beautiful happens in the Mission of San Juan Capristano in San Juan Capristano, California. The mission was founded in 1776 by the Franciscans and a small city grew around it. A legend says that one day a shopkeeper was destroying the nests of swallows, and a Franciscan priest stopped him in defense of the birds. On St. Joseph’s Day, the swallows return to the city year after year, after spending the winter in the warm cities of the south.

In other parts of the world there are processions in the streets with the image of the saint and everybody recalls his example of sainthood and faithfulness to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

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Ash Wednesday Observed by Christians

Noel — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:00:46 +0000

Ash Wednesday: March 9

Ash Wednesday is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent. The holiday’s name exists because on this day, Christians attending Mass will be marked by a cross of ash on the forehead as a sign of penance. The date changes according to the date set for Lent, and it comes 46 days before, not counting Sundays.

History of Ash Wednesday

The tradition of celebrating Ash Wednesday comes from Roman times. It is known to be celebrated as early as the fifth century, and it was called dies cinerum (day of ashes). Well before the celebrations of Ash Wednesday were institutionalized by the Catholic Church, there were many penitents that in sign of repentance and penance would cover themselves with ashes and seek forgiveness from God for their sins. As the period of Lent reflects a time period focused on repentance, it was decided to that a proper ritual should be used during first Mass.

Before Mass begins, the priest blesses the ashes, which are created from the palms used from the previous year on Palm Sunday. The ashes are blessed with holy water and incense; this creates a kind of paste that then is used to make the sign of the cross on the forehead of all those attending Mass who wish to receive it. The priest will repeat the words “remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return” as he places the ash on the forehead.

Ash Wednesday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Since Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the churches are decorated with purple colors in penance. Fasting must be observed, and privilege must be given to prayer and self examination. The traditions and customs do not vary much from country to country. Ash Wednesday isn’t celebrated as much today as it falls in the shadow of the celebrations of the preceding extravagant celebrations of Mardi Gras, Carnival, or Maundy Tuesday.

On this day, Christian communities gather in a special worship service to receive the ashes on their foreheads. It is a day that traditional meals being served do not include meat. Fasting begins when only one full meal and two snacks can be observed during the day.

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Carnival: South America’s Number One Party!

Carol — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:35:16 +0000

South American Carnival: February 18-21

Carnival is a public holiday in South America.

Carnival, or “carnaval” in Portuguese, is a four-five day celebration starting from Saturday and usually ends on Tuesday (Mardi-Gras) in some countries. The actual date of carnival celebration varies slightly from country to country with the last day considered as the most special, but is celebrated before the beginning of lent in Roman Catholic calendar in February. The holiday is very popular because of its exuberant display of masquerade parties on street and state-sponsored floats, parades, and costumed dancers singing and dancing in public.

Mardi-Gras (Fat Tuesday) is the US-counterpart carnival celebration in New Orleans which is celebrated in much the same way as that of South American countries. The practice of wearing colourful and extravagant costumes during carnival is believed to be a Pagan ritual that is used to drive away evil spirits during the festivities. Today, however, people participating in parades covered with mask do so either for tradition or fashion sake or to celebrate with a certain degree of anonymity.

Music of all types is played incessantly while drinks and food of all sorts are sold in every corner of the street including live bands and DJs playing music to hungry partygoers.

History of South America Carnival

The history of carnival dates back to the medieval times. Carnival is derived from Latin “carnem levare” which means ‘removal of flesh’ which suggests the abstinence of people both from alimental (food) and bodily pleasures. Alimental relates to refraining from eating meat during the season of lent.

Carnival is held to give way for the Catholics to indulge on earthly pleasures or physical appetites relating to food, temporal, and other worldly pleasures before the lent starts. Lent requires people to give up worldly pleasures and spend the next 40 days fasting starting from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

Carnival is celebrated around the globe although it is largely concentrated in Europe, South America (Brazil and Mexico) and parts of the US such as New Orleans in Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. Some countries in Asia especially around the Pacific region also celebrate a local version of carnival.

South American Carnival: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Brazil considers carnival as the most celebrated holiday of all. It is a week without work so people usually participate in a week of parties and festivities indulging both in hard drinking and dancing in the streets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro or sometimes taking part in organized parades put together by the local government.

Mexico takes the third place in the most-attended carnival celebrations behind Rio de Janerio in Brazil and New Orleans in the US. While carnival is celebrated in Mexico in all major cities, the celebration in Mazatlan is the most anticipated.

Every year, more than 300,000 people attend the carnival celebration in Mazatlan in Mexico. It is a popular destination for carnival festivities along with other Mexico’s famous port cities such as Veracurz, Ensenada, and La Paz. If you’re planning to visit Mexico to witness this famous celebration, it is advisable to make reservations months before the actual date as boarding and lodging accommodation spike up during the holidays.

People from all walks of life actually participate in this yearly festive celebration. It has become a part of people’s way of life both for Catholics or non-Catholics. People in the US celebrating this tradition and some parts of South America throw confetti eggs or ‘cascarones’ to one another as part of the tradition’s ritual. This practice is believed to bring good luck to the person who’s hit by it.

Apart from the above activities, masquerade balls and rides that charge entrance fees are available. In the evening, a grand firework display awaits spectators and participants.

During the last day of the celebration, South American countries such as Mexico conduct cultural awards including literary contest such as poetry. The Clemencia Isaura Poetry recognizes and awards the individual with the best unpublished literary work in Mexico.

If you are a partygoer and looking for the best event to be at…then this is the best party celebration you should participate in. South American countries are the best place to be at for this type of celebration including New Orleans in the US.

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Shrove Monday Celebrated by Christians

Noel — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Shrove Monday: February 20

Shrove Monday is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

Shrove Monday is celebrated by all Christians on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. It is mostly celebrated in Anglo Saxon countries as part of Shrovetide celebrations that comes before the sober Lent season and in contrast is marked by opulent festivities. In Latin countries it is known as Carnival or Mardi Gras.

History of Shrove Monday

Shrove comes from the verb to shrive, or hear confessions. Shrove Monday is part of the celebrations of Shrovetide that come just before Ash Wednesday that is the first day of Lent season. The days of Shrovetide were meant to be days of preparations for the upcoming season of Lent, so people would prepare themselves by going to confession and doing away with eating any meat. From this also derives the term Carnival—carne levare or “taking away the flesh.”

Yet as faithful Christians were to be 40 days away from returning to daily pleasures, Shrovetide became more and more an opportunity to have opulent festivities. Anything from sports to luxurious meals seemed to be permitted before Lent. In many countries, the church tried to contradict this. During the days of Shrovetide, The Church promoted the passage of the Blessed Sacrament in the streets of the cities to keep people away from the many opportunities of sin that appeared during these days.

Even so, the celebrations were already such a part of the traditions of populations that there was no way to contradict the importance that those days had for the faithful. Inevitably, the clergy found ways to minimize the impact of the excesses of the initial celebrations by incorporating them in the proper traditions of the church. Today there are many traditions that show signs of over-indulgence as the people prepare themselves for the more sober days of Lent and Easter.

Shrove Monday Traditions, Customs and Activities

Shrove Monday traditions are mostly observed in the meals that are prepared. Since Lent was a season that no meat could be eaten, Shrove Monday was then a day to eat all the meat that was around the house, not to be spoiled during the 40 days of Lent.

In England, the British name is Collop Monday, in which the traditional dishes of the day are slices of leftover meat with eggs. In other countries the tradition for Shrove Monday is the Carnival Parade, the most famous in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Different samba schools compete with luxurious costumes and giant floats decorated along one of the avenues, called the Sambódromo, to be the winner of the festival.

In Germany there are also parades, and the festival is called Rozenmontag, when people wear costumes and make fun of politics and public figures. In Greece the day is called Kathari Deftera, and the tradition there is to fly kites. Like Greece, most of Mediterranean Catholic countries celebrate Shrove Monday during Carnival with parades and parties.

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