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Phillip Colwart Photography | Mardi Gras Indian

street celebrations in the early 19th century, Tallant said interviewed newspapers in 1857 predicted the captain that would be its last year. But of Rex, whose Sacrifce of the Mass and sang that year the street celebra- identity was known the Te Deum in tions seemed to take hold. only to the members to God for having recognized Hardy says six New Orlea- of the krewe. the river.” Baudier says the ex- nians who had been members “It is fair to say the act location of that frst Mardi of Mobile’s parading organiza- background (of Mardi Gras) the Gras Mass – the frst celebrated tion, the Cowbellions, “saved is religious,” the Rex captain next day in the state of – has the Mardi Gras” said. “Certainly, it was reason- not been determined because was the sea- by forming the Comus organi- able to have a day of accepted son of ,” Leumas said. hat’s the indelible, of changes in the river. license before a period of re- zation in 1857, proving they “They would clean out their 320-year connec- On the following day, Baud- straint or Lent. … So, in New could present a themed and cupboards because if they left Wtion between Mardi ier notes, “Iberville saw to it safe with foats and Orleans, the European custom things for six weeks, it would Gras and the local Catholic that the ceremonies of Ash of celebrating before Lent was costumed riders. spoil.” church? Wednesday were observed.” In 1872, Rex made his frst carried on with general enthu- The juxtaposition of The origins are not hard to According to Robert Tallant, appearance, Hardy says, tied siasm as far back as 1837. We and deprivation ft New Or- decipher. the author of “Romantic New to a visit to New Orleans probably obtained our scheme leans well. “New Orleans itself When Iberville and Bi- Orleans,” Mardi Gras was by the Russian Grand Duke of things – our , for was known as a party city from enville reached the mouth reinforced in New Orleans by Alexis Romanoff. Rex selected example – from Mobile, where the beginning,” and it was of the River on the early French settlers and ’s colors – green, gold the Cowbellions paraded even always pervasively Catholic, Sunday, March 1, 1699, they was a well-established custom and purple – and introduced before we did here. However, landed, according to Catholic by 1766. “If Ever I Cease to Love” as its we have continued the cus- Leumas said. historian Roger Baudier, “a Even though the Spanish anthem. tom with greater enthusiasm. The Acadian migration to league and a half (about 5 were considered carefree, they Errol Laborde, editor-in- … It wasn’t planned – it hap- Louisiana began in earnest miles) up the river among suppressed street masking in chief of Renaissance Publish- pened. It’s not a ritual – it’s a in the 1780s, bringing new reeds that lined both banks.” the late 18th century, but the ing, says his extensive research spirit.” traditions of the Mardi Gras In his diary, Iberville states tradition was revived, only to has indicated that Mardi Gras’ Call it the storm before the chicken runs and the “courier that on , have it suppressed once again three colors “are based on the calm. de bois,” the forest runners March 3, 1699, “the party after the Louisiana Purchase. laws of heraldry” and certainly The French colony of Loui- who would run “from place to made their cabanage 12 Numerous petitions led to not as simple as the common siana recognized only one reli- place” and provide a chicken leagues (about 36 miles) the revelry being renewed by explanation that they repre- gion – Catholicism – so it was for every pot. above the mouth of the river 1823. sent “justice, faith and power.” natural that the early colonists “The church let people at a point where the river Mardi Gras historian Arthur The Mardi Gras tradition would carry on the traditions celebrate in their own way,” makes a turn on the west and Hardy said the public celebra- has been carried on in New of feasting on Mardi Gras in Leumas said, laughing, “be- which they named ‘La Pointe tion of Mardi Gras in the Orleans for the last 320 years. advance of the sacrifces of cause they knew the hook du Mardi Gras.’” early 19th century “consisted In 1967, former WDSU-TV Lent, said Dr. Emilie Leumas, would be the next day – Ash At 7 a.m. on Mardi Gras mainly of maskers on foot, in broadcaster Mel Leavitt, who archivist of the Archdiocese of Wednesday. And that’s still morning – on the bank of the carriages and on horseback.” freelanced as a Clarion Herald New Orleans. the case. The only time of the river – Baudier says “Father Because of the rowdiness columnist, wrote about the “Families would eat every- year Bourbon Street is cleaned Anastase offered up the Holy and crime associated with origins of Mardi Gras. Leavitt thing in their pantry because at midnight is on Mardi Gras.” MR. MARDI : GRAS New Or- IT’S NOT JUST FOR CATHOLICS leans, but ➤ ASH WEDNESDAY is the frst day of Lent. Ashes – what Before he became on several remains after a fre – are imposed on the forehead in the sign known as “Mr. Mardi conti- Gras,” foat maker nents. of the cross to signify the penitential aspect of the Lenten Blaine Kern was a Kern season. The ashes come from burning of blessed palm branches desk-bound student learned that were used the previous year on . One of two MEL LEAVITT at Holy Name of Mary about the prayers usually is offered: “Remember that you are dust and to Elementary School power of dust you shall return”; or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” in Algiers, doodling art early in his notebooks and in his life, For those who work in downtown New Orleans, here is a list WHAT’S THIS daydreaming about as an ap- of CBD churches and their Ash Wednesday schedules. the world. prentice Non-Catholics are welcome to receive ashes during the MARDI GRAS “I read more books in his fa- Ash Wednesday Masses. than any of my ther’s sign-painting business theme parks and DEAL ALL classmates, but I during the Great Depression. casinos in Asia, ➤ ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL will offer Masses at 12:05 p.m. and was a poor student At age 19, he would dis- Europe and Above: A 1934 children’s foat 5 p.m. Archbishop Gregory Aymond will preside at the 12:05 depicting the arrival of the ABOUT? because all I wanted cover the monetary value North Amer- p.m. Mass. The sacrament of reconciliation will be available of his artistic talents: his ica. It also Ursuline Sisters. (Courtesy to do was read and Charles L. Franck Studio at from 11:30-11:50 a.m. Mel Leavitt interviews mother needed an operation, branched draw pictures,” said The Historic New Orleans ➤ the captain of Rex Kern during an inter- but instead of charging the out to Collection) CHURCH, 130 Baronne St., Feb. 2, 1967 view with the Clari- family in dollars and cents, manufacture Masses will be at 7:30 a.m., noon, 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Clarion Herald on Herald in 2001. family friend Dr. Henry La items such as with confessions heard from 11 a.m. to noon; 3:15-4:15 p.m. “I read a lot of Rocca commissioned Kern to parade throws, the paint a mural for his hospi- tractors that pull foats and ➤ OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHURCH, 411 N. Rampart St., Q. How does Jules Verne, Sir Arthur Conan tal. Dr. La Rocca also hap- even costumes. will offer Masses at 7 a.m., noon, 4 and 6 p.m. Confessions will our Mardi Gras Doyle and pened to be captain of the “I wouldn’t be anything be heard at 11:30 a.m. differ from H.G. Wells, Algiers-based Krewe of Alla without God almighty,” around so I was trav- parade. Kern added. “Whatever you ➤ ST. JOSEPH CHURCH, 1802 Tulane Ave: Masses at noon and the world? eling to the “He asked me if I could like doing most – whether 6:30 p.m. No confessions on Ash Wednesday. design the parade,” said Kern moon way it’s working in charcoal, ➤ ST. PATRICK CHURCH, 724 Camp St., will have Masses at 11 of his frst job, involving the A. In most before Sput- tempera, acrylics, pen and and 11:45 a.m., and 12:30 and 5:30 p.m. will be places, carnivals are nik!” Kern said. creation of 11 foats, in 1947. ink – practice, practice, observed mainly by So began the career path Over the decades, Kern’s practice. The only thing available before 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses. laborers and factory work- of Kern, whose extrava- company expanded to that makes you better is ers. It is their great day to gant, colorful and ever- include building foats and tenacity. If you’ve got that, enjoy. In some areas, car- growing foats became the fanciful fgures for pageants, you can achieve anything nivals are commercial gim- toast of parades not only in parades, sporting events, with God’s help.” WHAT DOES SHROVE TUESDAY MEAN? micks to attract visitors. New Orleans’ Mardi Gras is ➤ FATHER MARK RAPHAEL, a church historian, says “Shrove” Tuesday is derived from the old English word “scrifan,” which means “to neither. It is enjoyed by the impose as a penance.” Since the Middle Ages, Catholics ideally would make their individual confessions after feasting on Mardi Gras as a haves and have-nots. It is anti-climactic and much of pagan festivals that was the fnal fing before way of preparing for Lent. Catholics who went to confession on Mardi Gras were said to have been “shriven.” not a tourist attraction, but the excitement would be lost. Q. How much does it antedated even the Greeks, the austerities of Lent. The rather a series of private The captain’s name is kept cost to be a king? Can who transmitted them to very name in France, “Fat in which others are secret for other reasons. He you buy the title? the Romans from whom the Tuesday,” connoted the invited to join. There is no is a businessman who merely early Church Fathers bor- day when the “Boeuf Gras” HOW IS THE DATE OF MARDI GRAS DETERMINED? central planning unit, and gives his time to the event. A. I can say with posi- rowed them and recast them or “Fatted Ox” was slaugh- ➤ MARDI GRAS ALWAYS FALLS 46 DAYS BEFORE , which is why it moves from year to year. The ’s Council of this is part of its charm. It He certainly does not want tive assurance that no one in a Christian mold. tered and feasted upon by Nicaea (325 A.D.) fxed the date of Easter as the frst Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. Mardi Gras can fall as early is spontaneous. to be pressured by those who has ever been able to buy the Carnival merrymakers. as Feb. 3 and as late as March 9. want special favors. the privilege of being king What is Carnival? in the older or original Q. Why so much In New Orleans, the Car- secrecy about Carnival? Q. Why do so many organizations. A sure way CHARLES ‘PIE’ DUFOUR for a man to be eliminated nival season traditionally Your identity is not prominent and busy civic starts with , WHAT IS LENT? known. leaders go to these pains? is for someone to let it be known that he would like FAT TUESDAY which is Jan. 6 and, liturgi- ➤ LENT IS A 40-DAY LITURGICAL SEASON OF , Is it really important? cally, the Feast of the Mardi Gras is largely the privilege. special prayer and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. A. PREDATES GREEKS . It is the built on the psychology of We think it is impor- According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the name “Lent” A. From a treasury of Mardi Gras traditional date of surprise and expectation. tant. It is easy to arrange Some say Mardi comes from the Middle English lenten and Anglo-Saxon Q. facts by columnist Pie Dufour, the arrival of No one is seeking fame or small parties. But how often Gras is a waste of lencten, meaning spring; its more primitive church name distributed by the city’s public the Magi or prestige by the part. We in the lives of men do they money. know that people are more information offce in 1966 Three Kings was the “forty days,” tessaracoste in Greek – likely in have the chance to enter- interested – even curious of the East imitation of Jesus’ 40-day fast in the desert before beginning tain a million people? This – about things mysterious. A. Some are envious be- What is at the manger in Bethle- his public ministry. Adult Catholics are expected to fast Each year there is great couldn’t be arranged in any cause they haven’t become other place that I know. New Mardi Gras? hem. And Carnival ends in (one full meal with other small sustenance allowed) and speculation over who is part of the fun. Who can New Orleans on Mardi Gras Orleans people want this day say that it’s any more of Mardi Gras is French for abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and ; king and queen of each “Fat Tuesday” and it is the with the stroke of mid- ball. There is great inter- of merriment. Psychologists a waste than a beautiful they are asked to abstain from meat on all Fridays of Lent. tell us this is good for people. dress or a fne automobile culminating day of the great night, which ushers in Ash Many Catholic parishes and schools offer Friday fsh fries. est in learning who will Wednesday and the season be King of Carnival. If his Mardi Gras is a day when ten- we use for our personal pre-Lenten festival of Car- A full list is available at www.clarionherald.org. nival, which is celebrated of Lent. name were announced sion drops – when problems pleasure? Perhaps we could The Clarion Herald also publishes its “Holy Smoke” in advance of his visit to are forgotten and a spirit of do with less and give the chiefy in Latin countries. his favorite capital (as we good will abounds. Isn’t this difference to charity – but Its origin is steeped in Why is Mardi Gras? meatless recipe section in six issues during Lent: like to call it), it would be important? would we? antiquity, being traced to In the Middle Ages it www.clarionherald.org.