Stealing Poetry on Ash Wednesday

What a week this is turning out to be.  Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day . . . is Friday going to be just plain old Friday?  Shouldn't it have a special name like the other days?

In recent years, many Protestant churches have joined the Catholic Church and started paying more attention to the observance of Ash Wednesday, which begins the 40 day Lenten period, which of course, leads to Easter.

With the cornerstone laid in 1835, The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception,  in Mobile AL

has seen many Ash Wednesday services.

As in other cities around the world, many Fairhope churches will gather today to have ashes placed on member's foreheads. The ashes come from the burned palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday service.

The mark of ashes is a reminder of human mortality and repentance from sin (remember 24 hours ago?  Do the words "Mardi Gras" ring a bell with anyone?) and the 40 days is a reminder of Christ's time in the wilderness when he was tempted.

Side window of another beautiful Gulf Coast Church, First United Methodist in Pensacola, Florida.  

This church was first established as a mission in 1821. 

I'll be helping the older children during our church's Ash Wednesday service. They always have such big eyes and watch everything going on. It's curious watching from their perspective.

If you aren't a member of a church, but want to observe an Ash Wednesday service, I don't know of any that wouldn't gladly welcome a visitor. And no one forces you to get ashes on your head - or anywhere else for that matter!

Here is a modern poem I found about Ash Wednesday.  For some reason, the author was unlisted.  If anyone knows, please tell me and I'll gladly give credit.

I certainly don't want to begin Lent by stealing poetry!

The Prayer

As the cold gives way
to the warmer days
Warming up in the morning sunrays
I keep waiting with others
For the church door to open there
with spring breeze brushing the hair
Teasing my face with its refreshing fingers
The merry season passes over
paving way for penance'n prayer
Comes Lent thru the Ash
ending the days of happy bash
"Dust to Dust" he would mutter
'Wash me through . . . O Lord', I utter.

You can see this story and other blogs at Faith Grace Crafts, From My Front Porch to Yours, Mockingbird Hill Cottage and Cedar Hill Ranch,