Mardi Gras Sunday? Make it make sense!
By Philip Cardella February 20, 2026
Coral Gables, Florida
Most religions based out of the Northern Hemisphere have a time of fast that is preceded by a feast sometime in February. Historically, this was probably a time to enjoy the remaining stocks from the previous fall's harvest as the perishable items reached their limits.
The fast was meant to make the hardier preserved items last until the spring festival.
For Christians the fast is Lent. For Muslims it is Ramadan. This year, those two events lined up on 18 February 2026, or Ash Wednesday as Christians celebrate it.
But before the fast beginning on Wednesday there's a feast in some traditions, a day of consuming the fat, Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras as the French called it.
My church, Coral Gables UCC, which takes the season of Lent so seriously it bans the use of the word alleluia, a word so common it translates to the same thing in every language, until the season of fasting ends and the next season, Easter, begins.
My church is also what many would call, "woke" or "woke AF." So, the last year has been a difficult time for our congregation.
Which gives us all the more reason, indeed the need, to celebrate life together. So on Sunday we did just that.
The heart of the service begins with a trumpeter marching in playing, you guessed it, When the Saints Go Marching In, complete with a Dixie Land playing brass ensemble, followed by the Chancel Choir, bedazzled in bright color and beads, signing along with the congregation.
All photos by Philip Cardella TWiFL 2026.
The service moves on to more music, a time to put away the alleluia (and give it to kids for safe keeping–I've got cute pics but...not showing minors), has some scripture, a brief sermon and then on to the feasting.
By Wednesday, the church held not one, but two Lent services, one a traditional Lent service, somber and reflective in the evening, but the other was a service in a more active sense–they put ashes on their heads and marched for immigrants through the streets of Miami.
That's a different story that you can find in the link below.
Philip Cardella
But on the Sunday before the fast they feasted, breaking bread together and sharing in the joy of being alive.
This post is under photography but I'd be an ass if I didn't tell you that you, yes you, are welcome at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ.
