About four weeks ago they started asking everyone to leave their fronds from Palm Sunday in collection barrels in the narthex. Apparently enough people stick them up behind the crucifix for a year (we always have, even before we were Catholic.) I think they save a few boxes of palms as well.
It's mixed with a little oil to make it stick, makes a good dark mark.
I wore mine all day, but took a riding lesson this afternoon, and riding helmet + sweat = no more ashes on the forehead.
Ours came from Sacco's. I have a collection of palm fronds from years past. I think I'll give them to Father Michael for him to burn.
Do you know if the ashes are supposed to be applied by a priest or deacon? Or are ash ministers acceptable?
I went to a church today where there were three ash ministers, with these words, "Repent and live the gospel."
Maybe it was wrong, but I was so bothered when I got home that I washed off the ashes. Serves me right for going for local convenience - this is the church I walked out of during an Easter Mass.
Mrs
Bumping an interesting thread from ‘07...