Preparing for Lent

MT. OLIVE – The dramatic ritual of the burning of palm branches was held Sunday at St. Jude's parish. The resulting ashes are used to distribute to the faithful on Ash Wednesday, one of the Catholic Church's holiest days that marks the beginning of the Lenten season – a time of spiritual reflection and preparation for the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday. (left) Members of St. Jude's Church youth group, Daniel and Anne Marie Sacco, join Joe Ferrucci, placing palms in the fire to create the ashes.

Photo By Joe Gigli

(top left) Youth group member Joe Ferrucci, helps Donna M. Cole, pastoral associate and Laurice Bonannella, Director of Religious Education, burn the palms the have collected. (top right) The palms burn down to ash; (above right) Then are sifted and screened. (above left) Joe Ferrucci, Brigid Glynn-Young, Youth Minister; and Donna M. Cole; continue the process.

Preparing the Ashes for Wednesday

preparation for the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
   Not every parish burns its own palms. These were collected from parishioners who brought them to church from last year's Palm Sunday. The burning was held in the parish's prayer garden with the help of some members of the youth group.