To get ready for a special Mass, the pastor of St. George Church and School in Tinley Park, burned palms Tuesday to make ashes.
The Rev. Ken Fleck, also explained to students the meaning of the Ash Wednesday Mass, which will include having a cross marked on foreheads in ashes.
“The burning of palms and marking ourselves with blessed ashes reminds us of a reality that goes beyond the here and now,” he said. “We mark ourselves with these ashes and begin a season of penitence, marked by fasting, prayer and alms giving.
“We all get out of line, we all sin and we need that call back,” Fleck added. “Lent calls us back to values that give purpose and meaning to our lives. If you make a sincere effort and commitment, you can be the person you want to be.”
Each year, the palms are burned which had been blessed during the previous year’s Palm Sunday Mass. Palm Sunday occurs the week before Easter, when the branches are used to represent the “welcoming of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem,” he said.
“The palms represent the glory of the world,” Fleck said.
Then, the Tuesday before Lent, Roman Catholic churches around the world burn the palms and sift the ashes, like Fleck.
On Ash Wednesday, the priest or layman recites, “Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return,” as ashes are placed onto each person’s forehead in the sign of the cross.
“During Lent, the (priests’) vestments are violet or purple and it reminds us to do penance for our signs,” said Fleck as he wore a purple stole. “It also signifies change, to open our hearts to change, to see ourselves in a new light.”
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Lent is a time when Christians prepare for Easter, when they believe Jesus rose from the dead. This year Easter is April 16.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.