Burning Palm Crosses On Shrove Tuesday

Great to have so many kids with their families at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and afterwards to share with them their ancient tradition of burning palm crosses (which they had made last year for Palm Sunday) to make the ashes for the Ash Wednesday’s service. Gathering around a fire is so rare for us now. Somehow it always deepens community.

The resulting ashes are put through a sieve to make a fine ash powder which is then mixed with blessed oil (Chrism) to make a black paste. During the Imposition of Ashes worshipping come forward to the communion rail where the priest makes the sign of ashes in the form of a cross on each person’s forehead. It is a beautiful and meaningful tradition which calls us back to a simpler and more grounded life as we begin the season of Lent.