Carnival: Before the beginning of Lent
In Catholic tradition, the Carnival marks the period in which we stop eating meat as a preparation for the beginning of Lent, the forty day fast that precedes Easter.
The term "carnival" is derived from the Latin words: "carnem" (meat) and "levare" (to lift, to remove). In the more popular traditions the period became a time of processions, music, dressing up (like on Purim which is around the same time), a time of fun before the more serious days of fasting and repentance.
The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as Mardi gras, (French for the Tuesday of fat) – marking the last day that we can eat fat (from meat products or milk products).
It is fitting in these days to turn our thoughts and our way of life to the fast that will begin on Ash Wednesday.