Ash Wednesday Walk . . .

Wednesday is my day off and I try and fit in a walk if I possibly can. I can definitely recommend it if you're struggling with fasting today. It's a great way to take your mind off thinking about all the lovely food you could be eating, if only it wasn't Ash Wednesday!

I walked with a friend around about the Colley Hill area in Surrey.

Unfortunately it was rather hazy today so this photo doesn't really do justice to the magnificent view from the top of Reigate Hill.

Nearly at our destination - the tea hut at the top of Reigate Hill, and we stopped for a breather at the Inglis Memorial. This 'folly' was originally a drinking fountain for horses. This would have been the main route over Reigate Hill at one time. It has a magnificent mosaic ceiling picturing the Signs of the Zodiac.

After a refreshing 'cuppa' we made our way back home. I couldn't resist a snap of this sign as we passed by. I assume the Adders referred to are not a bunch of dangerous accountants lurking in the field to pounce on unsuspecting walkers.

Ash Wednesday . . .

I wonder how many parishes still produce their own palm ash by burning last year's palms? I imagine the local 'Elf 'n' Safety' brigade would have a few things to say about you setting up your brazier in the middle of the church car park and setting to with a little conflagration!

Or, do the majority receive their ashes in nice neat little packets from a church supplies company? Either way, it doesn't really matter, I suppose. They are just as valid a sign of our repentance and intention to persevere with our Lenten endeavours whether the ashes are 'home-grown' or 'mass produced'.

I went on my own to Mass this morning as the Pater Familias is still in foreign parts and Number One Son decided to use up a day of his outstanding leave and go up to St Bede's, Clapham Park for Mass.

This year, Ash Wednesday falls during Half-Term for our local schools so it was good to see a fair number of children at Mass too. They would normally receive their Ashes at school.

Like most of the signs and symbols used in the liturgy during the Church's year, the imposition of ashes has a visual impact which produces an emotional response. That's one of the purpose of symbols, after all, I suppose. It is very impressive to see queues of people returning from the sanctuary step with the sign of the cross marked in ash on their forehead. And when it is your turn and you stand before the priest yourself, those words, 'Memento homo . . . ' or whatever form is used, I find profoundly moving.

Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday and it seems rather fitting that we had such a lovely evening out yesterday, and with feasting of a sort too - a bit like our own mini Mardi Gras.

The contrast between yesterday and today will be all the more obvious - a quiet day with the minimum of food. We'll be going to Mass together this evening with the usual imposition of ashes. Although the people will be different to those in the picture below (!), it will be exactly the same ritual with the ashes and this will be repeated all over the world in a similar form. That's what I like about the universality of the Catholic Church - one of many things!