Archive for ash wednesday
Bakeries bring on the paczki ahead of Lent
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On fat Tuesday, Lansing-area bakeries churned out dozens of paczki to give local residents their last taste of goodness before the Lenten season starts today.
The notorious high-fat Polish pastries – which are actually pronounced “poonch-key” – are deep-fried and packed with a variety of sweet fillings, from cherry, to lemon to chocolate cream.
“I think they’re very decadent. It’s a good way to go out with a bang before people start eating healthy for Lent,” said Mama Bear’s Cafe owner Cecilia Garcia, who made about seven dozen raspberry and plum organic paczki at her shop in old Town.
Many mid-Michigan residents and people across the U.S. have adopted the Polish tradition of devouring paczki before the start of the sacrificial season of Lent, which begins today with Ash Wednesday.
Bakeries bring on the paczki ahead of Lent
An Interactive Guide to Navigating Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday
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New Orleans is a tricky city to navigate, even on the best of days. At nearly 300 years old, the streets are very narrow, and in Orleans Parish (or Orleans “County”), most are one-way. Add a parade to the mix, and things get far more difficult.
Today is Fat Tuesday (or Mardi Gras), the climax of Carnival season, and in Orleans Parish alone, there’s not just one parade, but dozens upon dozens of them–some with floats, others are just walking parades, but all are exuberant and jammed with spectators. Apart from hotels, restaurants, and drinking establishments, nearly every business in the city is shuttered, and families are venturing out into the streets to watch the floats and costumes roll by. no one will be driving except the police, the float-pullers, and tourists who have to be back at their desks on Ash Wednesday. If you’re unfortunate enough to be in last group, here’s a guide to the obstacles you’ll face when you get behind the wheel today. Just click here to see the handy-dandy interactive map that your TCC revelers put together.
As an added bonus, here’s a clip of Mardi Gras’ best-kept secret, the Society of Ste. Anne (mistakenly called the Krewe of St. Anne in the title), marching up Royal Street, having a lot of fun, and generally making life miserable for any poor schmuck trapped behind the wheel. we hope you’re not in that number, but if you are, turn off the motor, get down from your car, and join the party for a while.
An Interactive Guide to Navigating Mardi Gras on Fat Tuesday
Lent and Ash Wednesday | What you need to know
Posted by: | Comments Can I eat meat on Ash Wednesday?
Many people choose to give up meat for Lent.
Most people know that today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent. but what does that mean? If you have seen people walking around with gray smudges on their heads and wondered what’s going on, these facts will help bring you up to speed with Lent and Ash Wednesday so you don’t appear totally clueless.
Even some people who consider themselves belonging to one of the Christian denominations that observe Lent are not sure what the rules are. for instance, many people are not sure whether they can eat meat on Ash Wednesday. Do I have to give up sweets? should I start saving cash now? Do I have to quit drinking until Easter? here are the answers to those questions, plus a few more.
Different strokes
It is impossible to definitively say what are the rules for Lent and Ash Wednesday because a whole lot of different Christian denominations observe it, and they all have different rules. for instance, the Roman Catholic do not eat meat on Ash Wednesday. However, Ash Wednesday is observed by Catholics, Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists and Lutherans, just to name a few.
Catholics and Roman Catholics consider Ash Wednesday a day of fasting — but even that means different things to different people. some interpretations of “fasting” include eating and drinking nothing, consuming only bread and water or having only one meal. some Roman Catholics fast throughout Lent. Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent, which lasts until Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday, Lent’s beginning, is always 46 days (40 days not including Sundays) before Easter Sunday.
Various observances
Traditionally, those who observe Lent choose give up something, such as sweets, meat or alcohol. others observe by giving up a bad habit such as gossiping, nail biting or being messy. still others observe Lent by doing something, such as community service, or developing a good habit rather than giving something up.
This year, the leaders of the Church of England are calling for the faithful to go on a “Carbon Fast” and do things that are good for the environment. some suggestions are cutting back on the use of technology, eating less meat or using less water.
What’s with the forehead ashes?
Many people place a cross made from ashes on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday. Generally the ashes are blessed in a ceremony and applied by a priest or minister who says something about turning away from sin. the ashes symbolize repentance, confession and penitence.
The ashes also symbolize mourning, or sorrow for sins and faults. Roman Catholic philosophy says anyone who wishes to receive ashes can do so. However, the Catholic Church says only the faithful should wear ashes.
Lent: More Than Just “Giving Up”
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Today marks the official start of Lent, and thousands have already begun fasting in preparation for Easter.
Some see Lent as a season of sacrifice, but it’s much more than that.
With each dab of ash and every smear of the cross, another Catholic reflects on their faith.
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
“Jesus said, ‘From ashes to ashes, from dust to dust,’ and we start it off with Ash Wednesday and we give up something we like,” explained Sandra Bragan, who attended the noon mass at our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood.
“I’m giving up sweets, giving up a couple other things—some TV watching that I would normally do,” said Marc Ayers, who also attended the Ash Wednesday mass.
“I haven’t figured out what I’m going to give up quite yet, but I’m going to try to go to mass more, tithe more, just be more,” said Matthew Gubenski, who juggles two jobs and an internship, but still managed to make it to mass.
On Ash Wednesday, Christians are reminded of their own mortality. Ashes like these are placed on their forehead as a sign of repentance.
And for the next 40 days or so until Easter, it’s a time to fast, pray, and ask forgiveness for their sins.
“It means giving up and praising the lord. It means to me, praising him for what he did for us, dying for our sins,” added Bragan.
While many do choose to give up their vices, devout Catholics believe it’s much more than just sacrifice.
“It’s really a beautiful time. People think of Lent a lot of times, as far as things they give up and that sort of thing, but it’s really a time to cut away things that are unnecessary and try to think of others,” said Ayers.
During Lent, many Catholics will forego eating meat on Fridays. It’s a tradition that’s gone on for hundreds of years.
