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. Ash Wednesday How To Prepare For Ash Wednesday

Imposition of ashes liturgy u tube