Celebrate the feast before the fast. The word carnival comes from the Latin carnelevarium which means the removal of meat. Catholics were traditionally not allowed to eat meat and animal products, such as eggs, cream and butter, during the Lenten fast. Prior to the 1800s there was no refrigeration, and those foods would go to waste during the 40+ days of Lent. So the week before Lent begins, there is a festival called Carnival to feast, be merry and prepare. Masks were worn to hide the identity of your social class, so everyone would celebrate together. In parts of the world, especially in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and New Orleans, Louisiana, there are massive celebrations and parades held. It all ends on Mardi Gras, which in French means Fat Tuesday. Christians have also called it Shrove Tuesday, from the archaic English word shrive, which means hear confession. Many would go to Confession to remove sins of the flesh on the day before Ash Wednesday.
While the obligations have slightly changed, there are still some traditions we can continue in the same spirit as before. We are still encouraged to feast before the fast, and can hold a Mardi Gras celebration. We can eat up all the things we won't have during Lent, or donate them. We can make recipes and crafts with symbolic colors and icons. When it comes to living liturgically some occasions will take intentional preparation, and others will flow naturally through the life of the Church. Discern what will most enrich your family's experience of the season.
A Festive Atmosphere
Make it a special party for just your family, or invite friends! Play family friendly Mardi Gras or Brazilian music. Wear your masks, crowns, and beads. You can decorate your table with the colors and symbols. Purple, green and gold represent justice, faith and power, respectively.
You may also see symbols of the French Fleur de Lis, which means the Flower of Lily. It was first used as a symbol of The Immaculate Conception (Mary), Saint Joseph and purity. Later we see it often on the coat of arms of the French and Brazilian culture that keeps this festival alive.
The Feasting
The most traditional foods made are meat stews (Jambalaya), pancakes, (Paczki) doughnuts, and king's cake. Often deserts are tinted or sprinkled with the colors purple, green and gold.
Pancake Recipe (serves 4):
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Food coloring or Sprinkles in Purple, Gold and Green
In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in milk, egg and oil. Add food coloring if desired. Mix until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. Top with butter, whip cream and sprinkles, syrup, or jam.
King’s Cake & Crowning a King:
Traditionally a King’s Cake is made for the Feast of Epiphany, but it has also been seen on Mardi Gras as it ends this ordinary liturgical time. You can make any circular cake like a Fleur de Lis bundt with batter or monkey bread. Or make a sweet bread dough and braid it into a circle. Sometimes we layer ready to bake Cinnamon Rolls from a can into a bundt cake pan, for the simplest method.
The circle shape represents the king’s crown, the crown of the Magi and of the Christ. It is usually glazed/frosted and sprinkled with purple, green and gold sugars. A token such as a dried red bean or plastic baby (representing the Christ child) is discretely baked or poked hidden inside.
The person who finds the baby/token is crowned king or queen for the day. They can lead the family rosary, redistribute his or her chores, or another royal honor. I've used two options for the crown. There are gold crowns of paper, foam, or metal that you can purchase or make. I also bought a festive purple and gold hat. While the tradition is to have one crowned, in larger families you could have that person choose another, so a king would choose his queen for the day, or the queen her king. In a classroom, I would recommend to still only choose up to two, you could make crowns for a craft and send them home with each child reminding them they are all sons and daughters of the King.
These foam and elastic crowns fit most head sizes.
Festive Fun:
Family Game Night! Play Five Crowns, a card game. This is another way you can crown a winner.
We also took these coins and had fun trying to flip them with our thumb into a cup. You'd be surprised how much adults get into the game. They could win a necklace or keep the coin whenever they get it in.
Make Mardi Gras Masks
The mask was a way for the lower and upper class people to celebrate this feast together around the 14th century. We can make masks to remind us that we are all children of God and special to Him. It also adds some cultural flair to the occasion.
Check out these White Masks ready to be decorated by you.
These masks I found on Amazon with a pack of trinkets.
Other Fun Ideas:
Fat Tuesday Sundaes - have ice cream and the toppings are all the candy and sweets you have left in your pantry.
A Mardi Gras Parade - Children can dress up and have a parade. Make a float from a wagon or sled.
Family Movie - Watch the family movie Rio
A Festival of Nations - Learn about Brazil, we have many ideas on our blog for this!
Shrove - Confessions:
Go to Confession. Otherwise, make plans to go when your parish offers it during the Lenten season.
Removal of Excess:
As a family, consider choosing food from your pantry to donate to a local food shelf or volunteering at a place that serves the poor. Some things to donate would be items you plan to give up for Lent, or food to help make meatless meals.
Another consideration would be to begin the practice of decluttering or minimalizing your home of excess worldly goods. These can be donated. Some like the idea of 40 Bags in 40 Days, a plan to pack up a bag a day during Lent.
When this day (Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival) has passed and Ash Wednesday arrives, we can then focus on our efforts to die to self and grow in virtue. We can then turn our attention to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Plan for simple meals, meatless meals, as well as make a simplified home and schedule. Pack or give away physical items that may tempt you to loose your mortifications. Pray about our how you can be a better steward of your time, talent and treasure, and find opportunities to volunteer in the church or community. We can prepare the way of the Lord in our hearts and homes.
[Read more about Family & Group Activities for Lent on my blogs]