<P> The Catholic Church and the Methodist Church say that the ashes should be those of palm branches blessed at the previous year 's Palm Sunday service , while a Church of England publication says they `` may be made '' from the burnt palm crosses of the previous year . These sources do not speak of adding anything to the ashes other than , for the Catholic liturgy , a sprinkling with holy water when blessing them . An Anglican website speaks of mixing the ashes with a small amount of holy water or olive oil as a fixative . </P>
where do the ashes come from that they use on ash wednesday
palm branches blessed at the previous year 's Palm Sunday service