18. Of the ashes ministered to her by an angel at the beginning of lent

The most devout maiden, after the manner of other Christians, was wont on the Wednesday of the beginning of Lent to receive with humble reverence from ST. LYDWINE of SCHIEDAM the hand of her confessor blessed ashes which he, taking from the church, brought with him to sign her. One Lent, therefore, on Ash Wednesday, her confessor coming in to her, asked her whether she wished him to bring ashes with him from the church. The virgin answered saying, " It may be good that you do so. However God has provided me with ashes." For the angel of the Lord had been with her a little before, and had signed her forehead with ashes. But that her confessor might be assured of this ; taking his hand she placed it upon the ashes so that he might touch them, and he found that beyond doubt it was so. Moreover, that he might share in so great a favour, with her per mission he brought his forehead in touch with hers. The angel of the Lord also taught her that those who receive the holy ashes should receive them with a light and a cross — to wit, a burning candle with the cross on the penny brought to the altar — as a sign that they offered themselves with the light of faith by true subjection and mortification to God.1 1 The Bollandists remark that they can find no trace of the custom here mentioned.