march 2, 2014 - corpus christi parish · conference, april 5, at the mobile convention center with...
TRANSCRIPT
March 2, 2014Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH6300 McKenna Drive, Mobile, Alabama 36608
Email: [email protected] ! Website: www.CorpusChristiParish.com
TELEPHONE NUMBERSParish Office: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313School Office: 342-5474, ext. 1 • Fax 380-0325Rel. Ed. Office: 342-5474, ext. 7 • Fax 380-0325Preschool Office: 342-2424 • Fax 343-3119Youth Ministry: 342-1852 • Fax 342-6313
PASTORAL STAFFVery Rev. James F. Zoghby, V.F., PastorRev. John S. Boudreaux, Associate PastorDeacon Arthur W. Robbins, DeaconSr. Donna Cooper, R.S.M., Visitation ChaplainMrs. Linda M. Hawkins, Pastoral AssistantMrs. Joan T. McMullen, School PrincipalMrs. Kathleen Q. Jester, Parish Catechetical LeaderMrs. Judi B. Ankiewicz, R.C.I.A. CoordinatorMrs. Colleen DeVoe, Youth Ministry Co-DirectorMrs. Brenda Martens, Youth Ministry Co-DirectorMr. Matthew F. Purvis, Music DirectorMr. Jay H. Henley, Gym Manager
TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE PARISH
Please fill out a Census Form. Census Forms areavailable in the church vestibule and parish office.
COMMUNITY CENTER RENTALS & SERVICES
For rental information and kitchen services, please callthe parish office at 342-1852 or 342-1420.
SUNDAY MASSES
Vigil: 5:30 p.m. SaturdayMorning: 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
WEEKDAY MASSES
6:30 a.m.: Monday through Friday8:15 a.m.: Monday through Saturday
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday: 5:00 p.m. and by request, particularlyafter the 6:30 & 8:15 a.m. weekday Masses.
BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ANOINTING OF SICK
Please call the parish office (342-1852) or informationand scheduling baptism, marriage, anointing of sick.
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (R.C.I.A.)
Please see published schedule for specific dates andtimes, or call the parish office (342-1852).
SUNDAY SCHOOL (C.C.D.) Grades K–12, Sundaysduring school year, 10:05-10:55 a.m. in school bldgs.
SCHOOL, SACS-accredited for Grades 3K through 8.For info & registration, please call the school office.
FULL-DAY CHILDCARE, for 6-week to 2-yr. olds.For info & registration, please call the preschool office
EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Mardi Gras Mass ScheduleTuesday, March 4 — One Mass only: 8:15 a.m.
LentAsh Wednesday Masses
6:30 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 12:00 Noon 7:00 p.m.
Ashes are distributed at each Mass after the homily.Special collection for our St. Vincent de Paul Society
for distribution to the poor.
Lenten penance & self-discipline Day of Fast (“one full meal & two lesser meals, with no in-between snacks”) Ash Wednesday & Good Friday for those 18-59 years of age in good health.
Days of Abstinence (no meat) on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and on all the Fridays of Lent for those 14 years of age or older, in good health.
Frid ay Statio n s o f th e Cro s s & Mas s6:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross and 7 p.m. Mass
March 7 through April 11
UNDERSTANDING THE CATHOLIC FAITH
ADULT SERIES OF 6 CLASSES
for Catholic and Non-Catholic Adults
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Mar. 12 through Apr. 16
Adult Ed. Room in the Community Center
For information, please contact one of the priests at342-1852 or [email protected].
Our Church Bulletins are Online.Please note the instructive insert pages in our Sunday bulletins. More than 3 years’ worth of previous bulletins are available forviewing and/or printing at www.CorpusChristiParish.com: (click the"Sunday Bulletin" tab on the left s ide of the Church home page.
Once a month3rd Sunday 5:30 p.m. Mass
During the school year we have a 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass the 3rd
Sunday of each month except April since it will be Easter Sunday.
Receive Emails from the ParishPlease send your email to [email protected].
Please support the advertiserson the back of the bulletin
Their ads enable us to have our bulletins printed by Diocesan Publications at no cost to the parish. Ads are purchased from Diocesan Publications. For information about placing an ad, contact them at 1-800-292-9111 or www.diocesan.com.
Hospital VisitationIf you or a family member is in the hospital or in an extendedcare facility, please notify the parish office to be included on thevisitation list: 342-1852 or [email protected].
It’s back and better than ever!The 2014 Mobile Catholic Men’s Conference is taking place onSaturday, April 12th at Corpus Christi Church in Mobile, AL. Thisyear’s line-up features evangelist Richard Lane, Deacon Ralph Poyoand John Martignoni. For more information and to purchase tickets:MobileCatholicMen.com. Early bird specials now through March 7th!
The Archdiocese of Mobile presents:
ONE FAITH. ONE FAMILYOne Faith in Jesus. One Family of God.April 4-5, at the Mobile Convention Center
Archbishop Rodi is calling you to come and see what the Holy Spiritis in doing in the archdiocese, and how you can be a part. Everwonder what priorities the Archbishop has for the faithful of thearchdiocese? Ever wonder what an event with air bounces and anarchbishop would look like? Join us for the first-ever ArchdiocesanConference, April 5, at the Mobile Convention Center with a specialkick-off event on April 4. Speakers include Chris Stefanick, ToddSylvester, and special address by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, withmusic by Ike Ndolo. Great music, speakers, and great fun for thewhole family! Tickets are $20 online or at the parish office. HighSchool and under are free with a parent. Childcare is provided.
For further information visit: www.FamilyLifeMobile.org/One
CORPUS CHRISTI SCHOOLRegistration for the 2014-2015 school year continues.
We have openings in K3 through 8 th Grade.
Info: Please contact the school office (342-5474, ext. 1).www.CorpusChristiParish.com/School
Support the Corpus Christi School Annual FundDonations can be made online at
www.corpuschristiparish.com/schoolFor additional information, contact Michael Montgomery at
SUNDAY SCHOOL (CCD)No Classes today: Mardi Gras holiday. Classes resume March 9.
Bulletin AnnouncementsSend bulletin announcements to
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA MARCH 2, 2014
MOSJ OUTBACK WEEKENDAn Adventurous Lenten Retreat
For Parents & Teens and Husbands & Wives
March 14-16 atCamp Grace 11081 Wanda Drive, Mobile, AL 36608
Register Now atwww.outbackamerica.org OR www.menofstjoseph.com
The Men of St. Joseph have teamed up with Outback America tooffer this unique, spirit filled, adventurous Lenten retreat: Men of St.Joseph-Outback. The retreat is a high octane, two person encounterthat incorporates several reflective talks with outdoor activities, suchas a high ropes course.
MOSJ Outback is about building, restoring, and strengtheningrelationships. The weekend experience is designed to give parentsand teens and husbands and wives a practical strategy for dailyliving, focusing on their relationship with God, their family, friends,church and community.
MOSJ Outback will include the celebration of Mass and thesacrament of Reconciliation.
The cost to attend MOSJ Outback is $295 for a husband/wife orparent/teen pair. If this fee presents a problem for you, we havescholarships readily available. It is our mission that no one be turnedaway for financial reasons. You'll be able to request a scholarship atthe end of the registration process.
Men of St. JosephTuesdays, 7 to 8 a.m. in the Family Room
Also Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. in the Parish House
All men are welcome to meet for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.
Info: Jim Donaghey, [email protected] or www.MenOfStJoseph.com.Wed Evening Info: Walter Bracewell, 599-1650 or [email protected]
Women of MaryWednesdays, 7 to 8 p.m.
Room 3 (2nd Floor of the Community Center)All women are welcome to meet
for prayer, reading the Gospel, and discussion.Info: Sr. Deborah Kennedy, R.S.M., 753-4872.
High School YouthHigh Sch. Youth Ministry will NOT meet next Sunday, March 2,due to Mardi Gras break. We will meet again on Sunday, March 16,for the 5:30 p.m. Mass and our meeting.
Rotating ChoirHop on anytime!
The Choir is rotating each weekend from 5:30 p.m. Vigil to 9 a.m. to
11 a.m.: Mar. 2: 11 a.m. Mar. 8: 5:30 p.m. Vigil. Mar. 15: 9 a.m.If you want to sing any weekend, come to the practice theWednesday before that weekend.
Widowed Persons’ Support GroupFor information call parishioner Glen Porter at 666-8977.
Fish-Fry Fridays start March 7!
If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity,please call or email Susie Veasey at 510-5803 or
Fish Fry Fridays Starting March 7 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. Corpus Christi Community Center Banquet Hall Fish Plates start at $7.00 The March 7th Bake Sale will benefit St. Jude Memphis to Mobile Runners Come enjoy Food, Friends, and Fellowship!
Wednesday Night Dinner5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Banquet Hall
$9.00 for Adults ! $4.00 for Children (Age 12 & under)
March 5 ~ [Ash Wednesday] No Wednesday Night Dinner.March 12 ~ Cornflake-Crusted Chicken Breast, Fried Fish &Hushpuppies, Cheddar Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, Corn Salad,Garden Salad, Peach Cobbler. Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee.
For Kids (on request): Chicken Tenders/Fries
Must RSVP no later than TUESDAY EVENINGReturn an RSVP Card, or call 342-1852 or email
�BreakfastMonday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 a.m.
In the Banquet Hall
ALSO: Fresh Hot Beignets on Tuesdays! ($2.29 per order)
Society of St. Vincent de PaulPoor Box, Food, Clothing donations put in the designated places in
the vestibule are distributed by our St. Vincent de Paul Society.“In-Need” Drop Box: This “In-need” drop box is next to the food pantrydrop-off box in the vestibule. Parishioners are encouraged to fill outa card with your need and contact information, and deposit it in thelocked drop box. Your information will be held in strict confidence anda member of our society will contact you.Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul by attending a meeting.Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wed., 6:30 p.m., Com. Ctr. Conf. Rm. (2nd Flr.)
To obtain assistance, call 432-5173 and leave name & phone no.
Lighthouse Catholic 80 CD Kiosk
In the vestibule — Provided by the Men of St. Joseph
CD’s are $3 each, or two for $5. Drop payments in the kiosk. Make checkspayable to “Lighthouse”. Info: Jerry Scott [email protected] or 533-2593.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUSMeeting: 2nd Tues., Mar. 11, at 7 p.m., at the Parish House.
Contact: Grand Knight, Bob Wheat, 490-9350.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA MARCH 2, 2014
Help restock our parish pantry for
Our Backpack MinistryPlease bring items this weekend,
Saturday-Sunday, March 1-2.
Through this ministry Corpus Christi Parish, in cooperation withDodge Elementary School, will be helping at-risk children at DodgeElementary School and their families who might otherwise not havemeals on weekends. Operating through Corpus Christi’s St. Vincentde Paul food pantry, we will be providing food in backpacks everyFriday for at-risk children that will feed a family of four three meals aday for two days (Saturday & Sunday). One Sunday a month will bedesignated for parishioners to bring specific food items to church,and one week a month for the school children to bring food to school.
No oversized cans/containers, glass jars or perishable items.
Breakfast items: Individual servings of instant oatmeal, grits, cerealbars, fruit cups.
Lunch items: Canned meats, crackers (Ritz or Saltines), soup,ravioli, spaghetti & meatballs, instant potatoes, mac & cheese.
Snack items: Crackers w/cheese filling, fruit cups, raisins, fruitsnacks, cookies.
Dinner items: Canned vegetables, spaghetti sauce w/meat, pasta &pasta mixes, rice &rice mixes, canned meats, instant potatoes, drybeans. Info: Penny Claiborne at 776-5850 or [email protected].
Altar Society MeetingFriday, March 28, at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Room.
We will plan the “big clean” of the church before Easter.
Interested in working with the Altar Society?The Altar Society is a group of men and women who help to cleanand maintain the church and chapel, the altar vessels, seasonaldecorations, candles, flowers, altar linens, holy water fonts, shrines,altar server robes, etc. For more info, please contact Beth Babin(President) at 654-2288 or [email protected], or Becky Sheffield(Vice-President) at 633-2022 or [email protected], or Debbie Cotton (secretary) at 865-1115 or [email protected].
Bib le Stu d y Gro up sSundays, 8:45 -10:45 a.m. in the school counselor's conference
room. Breakfast is served also. We are studying Mark’s Gospel.
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Parish House (except on the 2nd
Tuesday, in the school library). Info: Dave Burchette, 367-6660.Women’s Bible Study: Thursdays, 9:00-10:45 a.m., ConferenceRm., Com.Ctr. Penny Claiborne, 776-5850, [email protected] Joanne Donaghey, 554-6753, [email protected]
What do you get forthe person who has everything?
PURPOSE. Give the ones you love an opportunity to live life withPurpose. Internationally acclaimed speaker and author MatthewKelly and local musician Eliot Morris will be in Mobile to share with ushis Passion and Purpose event. This is not your typical church event!It has been a life changing event for tens of thousands of people. Itwill be held at McGill-Toolen on May 10th from 9-1:30pm.Tickets are $39.00. For tickets or more information call SusieVeasey at 510-5803 or email [email protected].
CORPUS CHRISTI BOOSTER CLUB
24th Annual Cougar Golf ClassicMarch 29, Azalea City Golf Course
12:30 p.m. Shotgun StartLunch will be served, and food will be also on the course
Four-ball format, $100 per player
Sponsorships available.
For info please contact Golf Director
Russ Kirkpatrick at 510-0958or [email protected]
Proceeds go to the upkeep of facilities & equipment for theCorpus Christi sports program for all of our youth.
Pack 29 Cub ScoutsMarch 2 & 9: Den Mtgs. 3-4:30. ! Mar. 15-16: Winter Campout;Camp Pinetreat. ! Mar. 30: Pack Mtg. & SVDP Society Food DriveTo Join Cub Scouts or for info contact Walter Bracewell 599-1650 or Mike Martin 633-5218 or visit ccspack29.scoutlander.com.
Hearing Assistance Available in VestibuleTwo types of receivers: one fits in the ear and one is simply wornaround the neck of a person who wears a hearing aid.
AA — Alanon — OA — CODAAA: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Cougar Den.
Alanon: Sun., 7 p.m., and Wed., 7 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.OA: Sat., 9 a.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
CODA: Tues., 6:45 p.m., Arts & Sciences Bldg.
Welcome New ParishionersRyan & Sarah Jett and their son, Hudson
REST IN PEACEDelores Braggs Ramos
FlowersThe flowers before the altar this weekend
have been placed in memory ofMirtha Merry
on the 13th anniversary of her death.Given by Ted Merry and Marie Condom.
FlowersThe flowers before the pulpit this weekend
have been placed in memory ofArgyl Rhodes
on the 10th anniversary of his death.Given by
Carl & Dusty Mondoro and Jennifer & David Harbaugh and Family.
CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH, MOBILE, ALABAMA MARCH 2, 2014
40 Days for LifeAsh Wednesday, March 5 through Palm Sunday, April 13
Pray & Fast: Visit www.mobile40daysforlife.com to sign up to pray for an end toabortion, & receive prayers & updates for the Mobile 40 Days for Life campaign.Stand in peaceful prayer vigil at the local abortion facility, Planned Parenthood, 717Downtowner Loop W.(across the street from Chuck E. Cheese). Corpus Christi Parishwill cover the abortion facility in prayer, Wednesdays, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.To sign up, or for more info: Contact Steve Pierre, Corpus Christi RespectLife/Family Life Coordinator, at 458-6188 or at [email protected].
First Friday Adoration 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the chapel.
Please sign up for one of the hours at the table in the vestibule.
Around the Archdiocese: FREE Daily Lent Reflections Would
you like a deeper, more powerful Lent this year? Then sign up for Father Robert Barron'sFREE daily Lent reflections at LentReflections.com or by texting LENT to 22828. Eachday, from Ash Wednesday (March 5) until Easter Sunday (April 20), the creator and hostof the CATHOLICISM film series will send you a short reflection, straight to your inbox.There's simply no better way to super-charge your Lent. Sign-up at LentReflections.com!
SPECIAL COLLECTION NEXT WEEKEND: Black & Indian Missions.
FEB. 23RD BUILDING FUND ONLINE & COLLECTION: $1,161.13FEB. 23RD TITHING ONLINE & COLLECTION: $21,019.14
Thank You and God Bless YouGod bless all who tithe and contribute to support God's work here atCorpus Christi, and those who make a special bequest in their will forCorpus Christi Church. For info, or to transfer shares of stock toCorpus Christi Church, contact your stockbroker, or call SteveSetterstrom at Citigroup Global Mkts. at 470-1060.
Offering EnvelopesIf you wish to use Offering Envelopes, just notify the parish office (342-1852). An initial set will be sent toyou right away, and then, every two months, you willreceive a two-month’s supply of envelopes.
Online GivingWith Online Giving you can either make a one-timecontribution or set up a recurring automatic withdrawalfrom a checking or saving or credit card account:Go to www.CorpusChristiParish.com; click “Church”;then click the green Online Giving icon on the side left
of the church’s homepage. Follow the instructions to contribute to thetithing or building fund or special collections. For assistance, call 1-800-348-2886, ext 4, or the parish office, 342-1852.
LENT: Season of Love A person is great not by the ferocity of his hatred of evil, but
by the intensity of his love for God. Asceticism and mortificationare not the ends of a Christian life: they are only the means. Theend is charity. Penance merely makes an opening in our ego inwhich the Light of God can pour. As we deflate ourselves, Godfills us. And it is God’s arrival that is the important event.
Turn to the Lord your God again, for he isall tenderness and compassion. Joel 2:13b
Was the No-Meat-On-All-Fridayschange an innovation of Vatican Council II?
No. The abrogation of the Friday-abstinence law wasprobably made in the spirit of the Council, but it hadnothing to do with Vatican II per se. The initiative wasPope Paul VI’s, and was enunciated in the apostolicconstitution of February 17, 1966, Poenitemini.
Poenitemini provided changes in a number of dietarydisciplines, but the news bombshell was that Catholicscould now eat meat on Friday. This was a startlingchange, as generations of Catholics had been brought upto believe that eating meat on Friday wasn’t just a sin, itwas a mortal (deadly) sin. This was no ordinarydiscipline. The belief was that one could burn in hell forall eternity for enjoying that hamburger on Friday!
Catholic source books were emphatic on the point; e.g.,the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia stated: “...the law ofabstinence (on Friday) embodies a serious obligationwhose transgression, objectively considered, ordinarilyinvolves a mortal sin. The unanimous verdict oftheologians, the constant practice of the faithful, and themind of the Church place this point beyond doubt.”
However, even though eating meat on Friday was nolonger a serious sin, people were expected to respect theday as one of penitence, the basic requirements of whichconsisted, in Pope Paul’s words, of “prayer-fasting-charity,” with peoples of the world’s richer nationsexpected to practice self-denial and charity on behalf of“their brothers who suffer in poverty and in hunger....” Itwas left to individual bishops’ conferences to decideexactly what those practices should be. The U.S. bishopsencourage works of penance, but it is safe to say that formost American Catholics the ordinary Friday is now nodifferent than any other day of the week. From Facts, Myths and Maybes by John Deedy
The Church’s faithful are not those who cling to accidental elements that were valid in the past but are now outdated.
Pope John Paul II Mexico, 1997
Forty Days of Lent?Q. Lent, the period of prayer and fasting inpreparation for Easter, is 40 days long, but there are 46days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. How canthat be?
A. The answer takes us back to the earliest days of theChurch. In Judaism the Sabbath is Saturday, the seventhday of the week, and designated as a day of rest andworship, and the first of the two accounts of creation inthe book of Genesis says God rested on the seventh day. Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of theweek, and the apostles and early Christians saw Christ’sresurrection as a new creation, and all Sundays were daysto celebrate Christ’s resurrection. Sunday became the“Sabbath” day for those who followed Christ, and no fasting or penance was done on Sundays. When the Church established a 40-day Lenten period ofpenance and prayer in preparation for Easter to mirrorChrist’s fasting in the desert before he began his publicministry, Sundays could not be included in the count. Thus, in order to include 40 days on which penance couldoccur, the period had to be expanded to six full weeks(with six days of penance in each week) plus four extradays – Ash Wednesday and the Thursday, Friday, andSaturday that follow it. Six times six is thirty-six, plusfour equals forty — the 40 days of Lent!
Are Sundays Part of Lent?Q. Last year my Catholic co-workers and I disagreed overwhether Sundays are considered part of Lent. Each year Igive up sweets for Lent, but I have always understood thatI could eat them on Sundays during Lent. I would like toknow if I am correct on this issue.
A. Technically, Sundays are not part of Lent. Althoughwe celebrate them liturgically as part of Lent, the Lord’sDay cannot be a day of penance, fast or abstinence. Sixweeks of Monday through Saturday give you 36 days. Ifyou add to them Ash Wednesday and the three days afterit, you get the 40 days of Lent. Some people may choose to “give up” something for theentire period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, but youare correct in saying Sundays are not part of the 40 days. Ask A Franciscan, St. Anthony Messenger
LENT is more than a time of fasting; it can
also be a joyous season of feasting. Lent is a time to fast from certain things, and to feast on others.
Fast from judging others, Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences, Feast on the unity of life.
Fast from apparent darkness, Feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness, Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute, Feast on words that purify.
Fast from discontent, Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger, Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism, Feast on optimism.
Fast from worry, Feast on Divine Providence.
Fast from hostility, Feast on peace.
Fast from bitterness, Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern, Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from needless anxiety, Feast on trust.
Fast from discouragement, Feast on hope.
Fast from acts that tear down, Feast on acts which build up.
Fast on thoughts that weaken, Feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from idle gossip, Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems which overwhelm, Feast on prayer that strengthens.
FatTuesdayMardi Gras – thecarnival that marksthe approach of Lentand its disciplines offast and abstinence –dates from about the14th century. In
those ancient days, the law of abstinence was much stricterand included many other kinds of food besides meat. Peoplebegan abstaining progressively during the pre-Lenten seasonuntil they began the complete fast on Ash Wednesday. The name “carnival” comes from the Latincarnelevarium, “removal of meat.” Foods forbidden by theChurch’s severe Lenten discipline were the ones needingrefrigeration. Since controlled refrigeration was unheard ofuntil the 19th century, it made sense to eat what wouldotherwise spoil during the six weeks of Lent and help otherfamilies to do the same with a party atmosphere. So, during the week before Ash Wednesday, there was anincreased consumption of meat, cheese, butter, milk, eggs,fats and bacon. This is where we get the names “FatTuesday” (Fetter Dienstag in German, Mardi Gras inFrench), “Butter Week” (Sedmica syrnaja in Russia and theSlavic countries) and “Fat Days” (Tluste Dni in Poland). The English call the day before Ash Wednesday “ShroveTuesday.” This name (from the Old English Shriven,“confession,”) comes from an old custom of going toconfession in preparation for the holy season of Lent.
Ties to Epiphany In medieval Europe, Carnival was essentially a Christiancelebration with liturgical implications. It opened onTwelfth Night – January 6, the 12th day after Christmas –which is the Feast of the Epiphany, when the Magi broughttheir gifts to the Christ child at Bethlehem. These strangersbrought rich gifts of gold and frankincense, gifts given tokings, and myrrh, a substance used in embalming, was areference to the Lord’s sacrificial death one future day onCalvary. So Carnival began on the Feast of the Epiphany andended on the day before Ash Wednesday – Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras Colors Mardi Gras colors are also tied to the feast of theEpiphany. Remembering the Epiphany, symbols of theLord’s kingship came to dominate Mardi Gras. The gifts ofthe Magi — gold, frankincense and myrrh — came berepresented by the three colors of yellow, green and purple:Yellow represented the gift of gold. Green represented thegift of frankincense (from plants). Purple represented the giftof myrrh. So, the colors of Mardi Gras reflect belief inChrist the King, whom the Magi adored.
Pre-Christian Origins Included in carnival celebrations are elements of the Indo-European pre-Christian spring lore. Our pre-Christianancestors had many rites and celebrations to drive awaywinter and welcome the fertility of spring. In Latincountries, much of the pre-Christian element of the carnivalfrolics stemmed from the celebration of the Roman feast,Saturnalia – a pagan feast in honor of the agricultural godSaturn, which was held each year in December. Many of theCarnival organizations (“Krewes”) in New Orleans take thenames of pre-Christian deities such as Bacchus, Mercury,Zeus and Zulu.
Excesses The popes acknowledged the carnival practice in Romeand tried to regulate its observance, correct its abuses andprovide entertainment for the masses. Around 1471, PopePaul II introduced carnival pageants for which Rome wasfamous. In the centuries that followed, other citiesdeveloped special features of their carnival celebrations suchas the parade of gondolas in Venice, floats and parades inSouth America, and carnival balls in many cities throughoutEurope. In many countries, because of excesses committed atcarnival, bishops sought to prepare the people for thepenitential season by exposing the Blessed Sacramentsolemnly in churches. Pope Benedict, XIV, in 1748, beganthis practice for the three days before Lent, calling it “FortyHours of Carnival.” The devotion was at one time held inmany churches of Europe and America in places where thecarnival frolics were of general and long-standing tradition,and was a precursor to the later Forty Hours Devotion.
A Movable Feast Mardi Gras is a “movable feast” because it is, of course,linked to Easter, which is itself a moveable feast based on theappearance of the full moon after the Spring Equinox. Giveor take a few hours, the Spring Equinox falls on March 21. The Sunday after the full moon that follows March 21 isEaster Sunday. Forty-six days back (40 days of Lent plus sixSundays) is Ash Wednesday, the first day of the penitentialseason. The day before that is Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras.
Today
Today, celebrations of carnival are held in Mobile, NewOrleans, and other cities and towns in the southern region ofthe United States, and are hallmarked by the selection ofkings and queens, parades, and large Mardi Gras costumeballs. Today’s Mardi Gras season also includes the “KingCake” with toppings in the colors which represent the threegifts of the Magi (gold for the gold, green for the plant forincense, and purple for the myrrh), and a little plastic babyinside the cake to represent Jesus the newborn King.
(Sources: Our Sunday Visitor (articles by Ann Ball & Fr. Owen F.Campion) and Catholic Customs and Tradition by Greg Dues)