Where does Ash Wednesday get its ashes?

Statesman ^ | February 21, 2007 | Eileen E. Flynn

[Coleus]

Homous >>

I've had this a few times made by a Jewish friend and a Melkite Catholic friend. Both tasted the same.

[ErnBatavia]

Bumping an interesting thread from ‘07...

[NYer]

And then there is this approach.

In the Maronite Catholic Church, Lent began on Monday. The priest mixes the ashes with holy water which forms a 'slurry'. This is applied to the forehead with a Q-tip, in the form of a cross. Monday night's mass was very well attended.

If you are wondering why the Eastern Catholic Churches begin Lent on a Monday, it has to do with how the 40 days are calculated. You will find the answer here.