fun fountain pen trivia: many pen manufacturers used to make a priest pen which looked just like one of their normal pens when closed but was really a holy water vial. They usually had a discreet cross on them somewhere. They’re collectors’ items now.
I think it’s very unlikely it’s Ash Wednesday ashes. Unlike the Eucharist or Extreme Unction, administration of the ashes isn’t a sacrifice and isn’t really important enough to warrant a special visit or a carrier. In any case, it happens only once a year. While I suppose it might happen occasionally, I’ve never heard of a priest (or lay administrator) bringing ashes on a home visit.
In any case, the contents don’t really look like Ash Wednesday ashes, which are normally a very pale gray and very fine. That would also be an enormous amount of ashes, enough for an entire congregation. All that’s normally administered is a tiny smudge.
…or a sacrament.
That’s what I meant, of course.
Was Batman Catholic? That sounds like something he’d have over his bed.