Wednesday 6 February 2008

And so it begins...




Nothing like a bit of pew-dusting to start your day, in my opinion. The church is being redecorated, there is scaffolding everywhere and the pews look like victims of nuclear fallout. Not the best situation when you've got half the parish arriving at half-past nine to 'get their ashes'. Well, what else could I do? A quick whip round with two dusters (one for me, one for The Peacemaker,off school again with another virus) and we were ready to roll. Not done to my usual standard, I'll admit, but at least you could sit down without looking like you'd spent the morning clearing out the cellar.





I would like to make an observation here. I don't know who the priest in the picture above is. I don't know if he was aware that he was having his photograph taken. I only know that in all my years of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday, I have never come away looking like this. Mine have always taken on a splodge-like appearance, giving the impression that I have not had a wash that day.

13 comments:

virtual nexus said...

Just called in from David's to say hi
from another brit - great posts.
Had to laugh at the senility prayer and spouse would love to see the Busby babes shot. Plus I'd forgotten it was Shrove Tuesday yesterday! Nice blog.

Sarah - Kala said...

Usually my ashes look like clumps and bumps! They itch something wicked as well.

Be blessed, JOT in Maryland USA

Unknown said...

Thanks for making me laugh this morning - so true about the smudge on the forehead.
This is only my ninth year to receive the ashes, as I am a Catholic convert.
Isn't Lent glorious and demanding all at the same time?!
Praise the almighty God for leading me to the Catholic Church.
Love your blog - will return.
Jlo

Merisi said...

David lead me over here!
I have never seen a priest make a cross as large as you are showing. Usually they seem to almost form a circle, leaving a round mark.

indicaspecies said...

I'm here from Authorblog as well.

You have a beautiful blog and I felt very good going through some of the posts here. :)

the rotten correspondent said...

So what have you given up for Lent?

Adrienne said...

I always get a huge perfect cross - just like in the picture. I figure the priest thinks I need it:)

EC Gefroh said...

Ha ha ha. My son and I were commenting the same thing about the crosses on our foreheads.

Amrita said...

This priest is quite an artist isn 't he?

But in India women and men are quite good at decorating their foreheads with religious symbols.They have these cast marks too.

Anonymous said...

What exactly do the ashes represent?

Autumn said...

I get a random smudge also!

I love your Meezes, btw :)

-Ann said...

You are so right about the ashes. I think that photograph must have been photoshopped. Or staged at the very least.

ashley said...

If the ashes are damp it's easier for the priest to make a cross, rather than leave a smudge.