Ash Wednesday 

Ash Wednesday follows the feasting of Shrove Tuesday (or pancake day), where traditionally people used up the butter, flour and eggs which would not be eaten during 6 weeks of Lent.​

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, which lasts 40 days and 40 nights, and represents the time that Jesus was lost in the wilderness and tempted by the devil.  To symbolise this time, and to spiritually prepare for Eastertide, Lent is traditionally a time of penitence and fasting - a time to give something pleasurable up, to practice abstinence and to exercise our will power.   It is however worth bearing in mind that Lenten discipline isn’t just about ‘giving up’ things, but about forming us as better people and more faithful Christians.   

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At St Mary Abbots we mark Ash Wednesday with three services, one for the pupils and parents of St Mary Abbots School, the second a Choral Eucharist at 12 noon with our professional choir, and a Said Eucharist in the Evening at 5.30 pm .   

The services are followed by the imposition of Ashes.  This is where ash, created by burning last years Palm Crosses (see below), is used by the clergy to mark your forehead with the sign of the cross.  It is, as it was in the past,  a sign of repentance and a reminder of our mortality: 'Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return'.    

The clergy will be outside the church after both services so if you would like to receive the sign of the cross then please come and meet them. ​

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last years palm crosses are burnt

Ash from the crosses 

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