On Ash Wednesday, Catholics across the English-speaking world are marked with ashes in the sign of the cross on their foreheads, accompanied by the blessing: “Remember, you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” This solemn ritual marks the beginning of Lent, a season of penance and reflection. But have you ever wondered where the ashes come from, and why they hold such significant meaning?
The Tradition of Palm Ashes
As prescribed in the Roman Missal, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are typically made from the palm branches blessed the previous year on Palm Sunday. These palms, which were once waved in celebration of Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, are later burned into fine ash. The ashes are then either mixed with holy water or chrism oil to form a paste, or, in some regions, simply sprinkled on the forehead.
For parishes that burn their own ashes, the process is both reverent and practical. Fr. Dan Folwaczny, a priest from the Archdiocese of Chicago, explains that the parish collects leftover palm branches, which are stored until the following year. On the eve of Ash Wednesday, these branches are set alight in a prayerful ceremony. “The school children come out, and we have a little prayer service as the palms are burned,” Fr. Folwaczny shares. This practice helps connect the community with the significance of the ashes, as it recalls the life and death of Jesus Christ.
The Art of Burning Ashes
While many parishes make their own ashes, others opt to purchase pre-made ashes from religious suppliers, especially when extra care is needed to ensure a finer, smoother texture. This is particularly true for some priests who seek a more refined ash, avoiding “stabby” or rough ashes that can cause discomfort when applied to the forehead.
Mike Gerken of Gerken’s Religious Supplies, a trusted provider of palms and ashes to Catholic parishes in Colorado, explains that creating quality ashes requires a meticulous process. The palms are smoldered in a low-oxygen environment to achieve the deep, charcoal-like blackness that signifies the penitential spirit of Lent.
Why Palm Branches?
The use of Palm Sunday palms to make Ash Wednesday ashes is rooted in both liturgical and symbolic significance. Palm branches, which celebrate Christ’s victorious entry into Jerusalem, remind us of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and His victory over death. Fr. Randy Stice, associate director for the Secretariat of Divine Worship for the U.S. Bishops’ Conference, emphasizes that the ashes made from these palms symbolize the connection between the events of Holy Week and the journey of Lent. “Those branches herald Holy Week, the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ,” he explains.
Moreover, the ashes serve as a powerful symbol of repentance, conversion, and mortality, deeply rooted in both Old and New Testament traditions. In the Bible, ashes were used as a sign of repentance and sorrow for sin, marking a return to humility and recognition of one’s frailty. This ancient practice has been carried forward by the Church, reminding the faithful that Lent is a time of spiritual renewal, reconciliation, and reflection on the Passion of Christ.
A Call to Repentance and Renewal
As we receive the ashes this Ash Wednesday, let us reflect on their meaning. The ashes are not just a reminder of our mortality but also a call to repentance and renewal. They invite us to humble ourselves before God, to acknowledge our sins, and to begin our journey toward the Easter resurrection with hearts full of humility, sorrow, and hope. Through this ancient symbol, we are united with the Church in the solemn observance of Lent, ready to walk with Christ to the Cross and ultimately share in His victory over sin and death.
