Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday; it has been observed by many Christians as a day to examine one’s sins, as well as to decide what kind of sacrifice one would offer during Lent. Shrove Tuesday is observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and Methodists. For Catholics, it is an ideal time to go to confession.
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Fat Tuesday; since it is the last day before the beginning of Lent, it is also the day when people indulge in rich foods before the prescribed fasting and abstinence during Lent. In some places, Shrove Tuesday is also called Pancake Tuesday; pancakes made from eggs, sugar and fat, which were formerly forbidden during the Lenten fast, has been traditionally served on this day.
On Shrove Tuesday, some churches burn the palms which were blessed and distributed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday, in order to produce the ashes which will be used the next day, Ash Wednesday.