Fasching (Carnival) Celebrations & Lenten Preparations

Happy Fasching Day!

'Fasching' means Carnival.  It is the name given to the festivities leading up to Lent (which begins tomorrow - Ash Wednesday) celebrated in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

The celebrations in Gaming began over a week ago with a huge parade - that only occurs in Gaming every five years.  Lots of floats pulled by tractors, candy distributed, and invitations given out (to the lucky few) to join in the drinking aboard most of the floats!

The Kartause's Keller Pub float

Fasching celebrations in the Kindergarten began last Friday with 'Kasperlfest'.  I'm not exactly sure what that means...'Kasperl' translates to Casper, but 'kasperl' (lowercase 'k') translates to cashew - which Ellie is allergic to.  But she came home looking like this...so I'm guessing clowns and not allergy-causing nuts were involved!

Yesterday was 'Rosenmontag' which translates to Rose Monday.  Wikipedia tells me it is the highlight of the German Carnival and is on the Shrove Monday before Ash Wednesday.  The note from her Kindergarten stated that the mysterious 'Kasperl' comes to the school on this day.  Ellie came home with her ticket from 'Kasperltheater' and told me there was a big puppet show!

Today (Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) was Fasching.  I learned last year that this is the day Austrians dress up like Americans do for Halloween - except their outfits are not really scary, and they wear them all day.  The school's secretary was dressed like a pig, and I saw a few adults out for a morning walk dressed as clowns.  Ellie went as Belle from Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (aka, the dress our neighbors gave us :)   

Francis and I were at home celebrating the day finishing off all of the sweets around here and making chocolate chip/sprinkle pancakes and sausages for lunch and dinner!

Ellie helped me make a paper chain for Ash Wednesday through the Octave of Easter ending on Divine Mercy Sunday (which is 9 days before my due date...so maybe the baby will come before we're through the chain?!)

A few Lenten sources I'm looking at this year:

Article - 7 Ways to Improve Your Marriage this Lent

Free Videos & Activities for Kids - Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure

Lots of Resources for Kids - Catholic Icing

Blog Post & Link to Online Retreat for Adults from an amazing (hilarious, humble, & holy) woman & friend - Lent is Coming, Are You Ready?

Action Plan Sheet - Lent is Coming

Have a blessed Lent!