The preparation of the breakfast cake was originally seen both as a time of celebration and as a way to use eggs, sugar and butter before the arrival of Lent. A Pancake Supper and Parade will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 6 p.m. today. The youth of the church are sponsoring the event. Plates will be $4 adults and $2 for children under 11.
Lent ”” a 40-day period of introspection ”” begins with Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Many churches hold services involving the imposition of ashes.
“Often these Ash Wednesday ashes are made by burning Palm leaves from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebrations and mixing them with olive oil as a fixative,” said Bishop David Epps, rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church. The ashes are applied in the form of a cross, and the minister or priest generally says, “From dust you were taken, and to dust you shall return,” or something similar.
“This symbolism recalls the ancient Near Eastern tradition of throwing ash over one’s head signifying repentance before God ”” as related numerous times in the Bible,” Epps added.
“The imposition of ashes on the forehead is an ancient symbol of penance and a sign of one’s mortality,” explained Marie Mulvenna, who handles publicity for St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. A worshipper traditionally leaves the cross mark “on his or her forehead until sundown, before washing it off,” Epps said.
A blessed lent to all on T1:9.
Jim Elliott <><