Pancake Day

By 4J Cheryl Lam

On 12 February, we organised Pancake Day, which is recognised as Shrove Tuesday in the Catholic Church. This day falls before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. During the 40 days of Lent, we practise self-denial, fasting, and repentance to prepare for the arrival of Jesus Christ at Easter. Traditionally, people in the Middle Ages made pancakes to use up all the perishable items in their pantry, especially eggs and fats, before embarking on the Lenten fast. On that day, Christians would go to confession and be “shriven”, or forgiven for their sins. A bell would ring in small villages to call people to confession, which became known as the “Pancake Bell” and still rings today.

Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies each year. This year, it will be on 17 February. Since we will be having our Chinese New Year holiday on that day, we decided to hold the event earlier to let students learn more about Lent. As soon as the lunchtime bell rang, Shungtakians were already lining up excitedly to taste our pancakes, which filled the air with their rich aroma. Our executives and subcommittee members dedicated their time and effort to making these delicious pancakes, contributing to the event’s success. Moreover, we raised $1600 from pancake sales, and the money collected will go towards the Catholic Church’s Lenten campaign. We thank all our schoolmates and teachers for their unwavering support. Last but not least, we hope that Pancake Day will serve as a reminder that it is not only a day for enjoying pancakes but also a meaningful occasion that marks the start of Lent, prompting us to reflect on ourselves and give back to the community during this period.