Ash Wednesday
Mar 05, 2025, 7:15 AM
Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, 402 S Scott St, Scottsboro, AL 35768, USA
The Imposition of Ashes
There will be 3 opportunities to receive the ashes on March 5th:
7:15 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Why is Ash Wednesday important?
As the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday awakens us to Jesus’ entry into the desert preceding his death. Before Easter, however, we must prepare our hearts for his Resurrection. We begin our season of preparing our hearts for Easter by recognizing our brokenness and need for a turning of our hearts to God.
Where do the ashes come from?
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter. It symbolizes Christ’s return to Jerusalem after spending 40 days in the desert. We enter the church waving palm leaves which have been blessed. The leftover palms from Palm Sunday are then burned and saved for the next Lenten season. So, this year’s ashes are from the palms of Palm Sunday of 2024.
Where do the ashes go?
It is typical to receive ashes on your forehead in the Sign of the Cross. Similar to taking communion, you usually process toward the altar to get ashes.
What do the ashes symbolize?
The ashes symbolize our mortality. They are a physical reminder that our bodies will decay, but our souls will live on in eternal life.