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Throughout the day, we will be offering services that will include a moment for the imposition of ashes. What To Say During The Imposition of Ashes Search the web to find out what might be near you. Palm ashes are available at a number of local stores, and can be found online at numerous retailers, including Walmart and Amazon. You also don’t have to burn your own to acquire ashes. The ashes from the fire will take on more meaning as a result. You can create an Ash Wednesday Backyard Fire, and write down some confessions from the past year before burning them in the fire. While the ashes you use can be from anything, you may want to take this opportunity to make the ceremony more meaningful.

Click here for more specific instructions. A mixture of water and ash on skin can often lead to irritation and burns. For safety, mix the ashes with oil before use. If you chose to use ashes, it isn’t necessary to find palm fronds to burn – just be aware of what kind of ashes you are using, and make certain there isn’t anything in them that will react badly with the skin. If you have ashes, you can mix those into the oil, or use the oil as is. You may have something ideal for the ceremony – perhaps some palm oil or anointing oil – but olive oil from your kitchen will do just as well. Whether stepping through the process alongside our pastors while joining one of our online services, or holding your own private observance by yourself or with family, you can use a number of things as replacement for palm ashes. How To Take Part In The Imposition of Ashes From HomeĪn important first step is to understand that you do not need physical ashes in order to be part of the ceremony. What is important is the condition of our hearts, not the symbols we use to represent them. When we take part in the imposition of ashes each year, we remember Christ’s sacrifice and repent of our sin. But, like so many symbols, the importance is not the item itself, but remembering what it is that it represents.Īshes, in the Bible, are used to signify mourning or repentance. Traditionally, the ashes are to be made from the dried palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday procession. The ashes for Ash Wednesday are an important symbol of our penitence as we enter the season of Lent.

Preparing ashes for imposition