Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in French, is the day before Ash Wednesday. It takes its name from the old tradition of eating butter, eggs, animal fats, and meat for the last time before the Lenten fast that forbid these foods. Today, we abstain from these items only if we choose to give them up for Lent. Fat Tuesday often was, and still is, a last chance for merrymaking before the solemn, 40-day penitential season leading to Easter. Catholic in many countries celebrate the day by making pancakes and doughnuts, which include lots of fat, butter, and eggs. Mardi Gras today sees parades and often wild celebrations such as in New Orleans. The term Shrove Tuesday comes from an old word for confessing one’s sins, or being shriven. Penitents would seek Confession on this day to enter the Lenten season with a clean soul. The day’s colors are green, purple, and gold: gold for God’s power, purple for his royal justice, and green for our faith and hope for eternal life.