Rite of Burning of Palms and Preparing The Ashes

Rite of Burning of Palms and Preparing of Ashes
Greeting and Sign of the Cross
The presider makes the sign of the cross and greets those assembled, hoping that God calls the faithful to do
penance and show mercy. All remain silent for a brief period.
The presider makes the sign of the cross:

In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
R/: Amen.
The presider greets the people:

The Lord be with you.
R/: And with your spirit.
The presider then says:

Tonight, we bless these palms and burn them to make ashes for tomorrow. The
burning of these palms reminds us that all earthly glory is passing. These palms were
used to welcome the Lord in his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Now they are to be
burned into ashes. Human life and earthly glory fades, what remains is our faith in
God. May Lent remind us to live out our faith in God so that we may partake worthily
of his life. Let us pray that God may bless these palms to ashes and those who will
receive them tomorrow.
A brief period of silence follows.
Opening Prayer
The presider, with hands extended, says:
Let us pray.
God of tender mercy, you fashioned us from the dust of the earth and bid us to follow
Your Gospel call in the company of the Church. Look on us with kindness as we
prepare the ashes which will mark the beginning of our Lenten journey. Grant that
we who make the desert pilgrimage might come to the font of rebirth with a renewed
passion for justice. May our aims serve Your people and bring us peace, may prayer
sanctify all our needs, and may we come at last to the table You set in the place where
You reign with Christ and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.
R/: Amen.
Scripture Reading Is 58: 5-10
A lector proclaims:
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
Is this the manner of fasting I would choose, a day to afflict oneself? To bow one’s
head like a reed, and lie upon sackcloth and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day
acceptable to the Lord? It is not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound
unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking off
every yoke? Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and
the homeless into your house; clothing the naked when you see them, and not
turning your back on your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be
healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your
rear guard.
Then you shall call and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say:
“Here I am!” If you remove the yoke from among you, the accusing finger, and
malicious speech; if you lavish your food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then
your light shall rise in the darkness, and your gloom shall become like midday.
The Word of the Lord

R/: Thanks be to God.
Psalm and Burning of Ashes
The lector or choir leads the assembly in Psalm 51 as the palms are burned.
Have mercy on me, God in Your kindness.

In Your compassion blot out my offense.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them;

my sin is always before me.
Against You, You alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in Your sight I have done.
That You may be justified when You give sentence

and be without reproach when You judge.
O see, in guilt I was born,
a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed You love truth in the heart;

then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,

that the bones You have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away Your face
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit.
Give me again the joy of Your help;

with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors Your ways
and sinners may return to You.
O rescue me, God my helper,

and my tongue shall ring our Your goodness.
O Lord, open my lips
and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For in sacrifice You take no delight,

burnt offering from me You would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn.
In Your goodness, show favor to Zion:

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
holocausts offered on Your altar.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.
Blessing
The presider, with arms extended, says the prayer:
Lord, bless these ashes + by which we show that we are dust. Pardon our sins and
keep us faithful to the discipline of Lent, for You do not want sinners to die but to live
with the risen Christ, who reigns with you for ever and ever.
R/: Amen.
To end, the people may sing an appropriate hymn.

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Rite of Burning of Palms and Preparing of Ashes

Greeting and Sign of the Cross

The presider makes the sign of the cross:

The presider greets the people:

The presider then says:

A brief period of silence follows.

The presider, with hands extended, says:

Scripture Reading Is 58: 5-10

The Word of the Lord

Psalm and Burning of Ashes

Have mercy on me, God in Your kindness.

My offenses truly I know them;

That You may be justified when You give sentence

Indeed You love truth in the heart;

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,

Give me again the joy of Your help;

O rescue me, God my helper,

For in sacrifice You take no delight,

In Your goodness, show favor to Zion:

The presider, with arms extended, says the prayer:

To end, the people may sing an appropriate hymn.

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