Fr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de Silva
In the Archdiocese of Manila on Feb. 13, priests perform the ritual of burning last year’s palm branches for this year’s Ash Wednesday service.
The observance of Ash Wednesday officially starts the season of Lent, a religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert.
Ash Wednesday occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday, predominantly observed by Catholics, though many other Christians also participate. Rooted in the ancient Jewish tradition of penance and fasting, the ritual involves wearing ashes on the head, symbolizing humanity’s origin from dust.
During the application of ashes, the priest utters the words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return,” or alternatively, “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” The ashes, crafted from blessed palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday Mass, also signify grief for our sins and separation from God.
The Second-century Church writings mention ash-wearing as a sign of penance. Ashes are distributed during Mass, inviting everyone, including non-Christians and the excommunicated, to receive them. Ash Wednesday is a day of penitential prayer and fasting, with some choosing to take the day off and refrain from public activities. Feasting is discouraged, but exemptions apply to small children, the elderly, and the sick.
While wearing ashes for the entire day is not obligatory, many choose to retain them as a reminder. Some innovative practices involve pastors distributing ashes in public spaces, though this is more common in Protestant traditions.
In special cases, ashes may be brought to the sick or shut-in by a priest or a family member. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of penance, reflection, and fasting leading up to Easter Sunday and Christ’s Resurrection.
- Newsletter -
Reflecting the penance of the Ninevites, ashes humble us, symbolizing life’s transient nature with the reminder, “Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust, you shall return.” These ashes, blessed by the Church, symbolize penance and help cultivate a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
The distribution of ashes originates from an ancient ceremony involving public penance. Ashes are made from the previous year’s blessed Palm Sunday palms, christened with Holy Water, and scented with incense. As a symbol of penance and contrition, ashes also serve as a reminder of God’s gracious and merciful nature, encouraging repentance through reflection, prayer, and penance throughout the Lenten season. – with passages from Catholic Online
Photos by Jire Carreon and Ange De Silva
Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Marion Mark Munda, the Director of San Felipe Neri Catholic School, on Feb. 13 oversees the burning of palm fronds from the previous Palm Sunday. These fronds are intended for the Ash Wednesday service at San Felipe Neri Church in Mandaluyong City, signaling the commencement of Lent. Photo by Jire Carreon.Fr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de SilvaFr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de SilvaFr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de SilvaFr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de SilvaFr. Hans Magdurulang, parish administrator of the Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Malate, Manila, leads the “Sinag Sala” or the burning of palm fronds on the eve of Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13. These palm fronds were utilized during the previous year’s Palm Sunday. Photos by Angie de Silva
We work tirelessly each day to tell the stories of those living on the fringe of society in Asia and how the Church in all its forms - be it lay, religious or priests - carries out its mission to support those in need, the neglected and the voiceless.
We need your help to continue our work each day. Make a difference and donate today.
