Everyone knows it’s a time of raucous partying and blatant excess – especially in New Orleans, but the partying certainly isn’t confined to Bourbon Street!
It’s fairly common knowledge that the words “Mardi Gras” mean “Fat Tuesday” – the last day to indulge before the austerity of Lent’s ascetic practices set in for the next six long weeks.
The roots of Mardi Gras, however, may not be known to all.
Like Christmas, Mardi Gras is widely believed to be a Christian adaptation of a celebration that was common in the early Roman Empire, when Christianity was still growing in popularity while the worship of the Roman gods remained the norm.
Early Christians in the Roman Empire struggled with the prevailing religious beliefs, refusing to join in the feast days and celebrations of the Roman pantheon and thus being labeled “atheists” by some.
Perhaps that is one reason the incorporation of already familiar celebrations into the Christian year became a strategy for evangelization. Saturnalia, the winter solstice celebration of the lengthening of days, became the chosen date for Christmas, the day that the true “Light of the World” came to us and filled all of our seasons – forevermore – with His Divine Light.
Likewise, Mardi Gras has its origins in Lupercalia, a celebration of the Roman god of fertility, which was celebrated with carnal excesses of various sorts.
Christianity has appropriated this (a play on words intended!) and a “last hurrah” of our appetites has become the norm for many as they prepare for the self-denial of the Lenten season.
To be sure, there are many Mardi Gras celebrations in the world today which are too excessive. For some, the day seems to be an excuse for a license to disregard morality and self-control entirely.
Still, Mardi Gras can be innocent, good fun. Extra dessert before the fast, a lazy day before the resolution to exercise – these are innocent enough. However, it is important to remember that Lent is not only a time of self-denial, it is also a time of increased emphasis on prayer and generosity. A “last hurrah” encouraging the neglect of those elements of Lent would never be appropriate – ever.
Ellen Hildenbrand
Religion Department Chair, Salesianum School
