Ash Wednesday Services

The impositions of ashes will be available at both the 12:10 service, and at 7 pm (a service shared with the st benedict’s table community, and led by Jamie Howison and Father Rob.)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40 day period of reflection, contemplation, and literal or metaphorical fasting that brings us to Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter. The ashes are made by burning the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms.

In the Book of Alternative Services we pray

Almighty God, from the dust of the earth you have created us. May these ashes be for us a sign of our mortality and penitence, and a reminder that only by your gracious gift are we given eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

and the ashes are applied to the forehead of each person with the words: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”