Lent is a period of penance in preparation for Triduum (Maundy
Thurs. through Easter Sun). The faithful are encouraged to
increase their works of mercy and decrease their self-
indulgence. It begins on Ash Wednesday, which is 40 days (minus
Sundays) before the Triduum. So called because it invokes the
ancient practice of covering oneself in ashes when in morning.
Often it is accompanied by, "Thou art dust and to dust thou
shalt return." As a side note: the ashes are generally from (at
least in part), the palms of the previous Palm Sunday. Well,
"Mardi gras" means "Fat Tuesday" in French, so there's that.
Fats and fatty foods are often given up for Lent (at one point
abstaining from all meat was a requirement), but fat will go
rancid if it is left out for all of Lent. So, instead of letting
it go to waste, it would be used for cooking. Often this would
mean that there would be a rich supper immediately before Ash
Wednesday. It is called, "Carnevale" because that, originally,
was "Carne vale," which means, rough