A special service, including the imposition of ashes, to mark the beginning of Lent. Guest Preacher: Revd Greg Bakker, S Columba Fareham and Pioneer Advisor. With the Choir of St Mary’s: Byrd – Miserere Mei, Wesley – Wash Me Throughly
Imposition of Ashes
Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. People wear the sign of the Cross in ash on their forehead, which is called the imposition of the ashes. The ashes symbolise the dust from which God made us, and are obtained from burning the previous year’s palm crosses. As the priest applies the ashes to a person’s forehead, they speak the words: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”