Why is Fat Tuesday important to Catholics?

Answer 1

(also known as 'Shrove day' or ' farewell to the flesh' Day)

Fat Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Lent is a 40-day period of self-denial and repentance, instituted by some in the early church as a way of preparing Christians for the Easter Holiday. Those who are sinfully self-indulgent during Mardis Gras prepare for self-denial during Lent Fat Tuesday is called Shrove Tuesday- derived from the Latin scribere, meaning, "to prescribe penance." During the middle ages, religious leaders would ensure that "shriveners" (priests) were available to hear the confessions of the multitudes of presumptuous sinners who had committed all types of iniquity during Carnival. "The job of the priest was not to call these people to a deep and true repentance, but rather to prepare them ceremonially for Lent. In other words: Have your fun! Drink as deeply as you need of the lusts of the flesh! Just be sure to confess your sins to the priest before Lent. The priest who hears your confession will prescribe fasting and the right sort of penance (self-inflicted penalty) for you to make amends with God. This was (and still is) the view of many within the Roman Catholic system regarding presumptuous sin, confession, and penance." quoted from the Article

'Here's the Skinny on Fat Tuesday'http://www.bulletininserts.org/mardi.html Click on the link below for more information