Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday. Why are these days so important to Christians?

Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent – what do these days mean Christians?

Today Year 6 explored the topic of lent, looking in detail at Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and Easter. We discussed that Shrove Tuesday is a Christian observance, where people prepare for Lent by eating pancakes and sweets and partaking in carnivals such as Mardi Gras. The annual tradition of Shrove Tuesday falls on 1 March in 2022, taking place one day before its more sombre counterpart, Ash Wednesday, and 47 days before Easter, however, it is 40 days as we do not count the Sundays. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Lent is marked by fasting, both from food and festivities.

We then enjoyed pancakes topped with chocolate syrup and sugar – DELICIOUS!