It's Ash Wednesday. Coach left early this morning for 7a Mass then for a road trip...see you Monday...{insert some snarky whatnot about The Mommy Show}. The minis are going to 9a school Mass and I am hitting up noon Distribution of Ashes.
So yes. I know there is "something on my forehead" and no, I don't need you to "wipe it off". I know this whole Catholicism thing is confusing to a lot of you, and I love and respect the questions on Twitter and FB. Truly.
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for Easter. It is not the most important time in the Catholic calendar. (The 3 Days are). Ash Wednesday is not a day of Obligation, but we are are encouraged to attend Mass.
"During Mass, the ashes which give Ash Wednesday its name are distributed. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday; many churches ask their parishioners to return any palms that they took home so that they can be burned. After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them.
The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person's forehead, says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" (or a variation on those words).
A Day of Repentance: The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility.
Fasting and Abstinence Are Required. The Church emphasizes the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday by calling us to fast and abstain from meat. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Ash Wednesday."
- Catholicism.com
9 comments:
You. Go. Girl.. love a tried and true Catholic Girl who knows her stuff .I am with you and sitting at my desk at work google searching where to get my ashes, since I missed Mass at 7 am this morning :) xoxo
I feel like time is flying too quickly! Wasn't it just Ash Wednesday??? I really need to figure out a few service projects for Lent this year. Last year, I gave up and added for Lent. I liked adding something like volunteering and not just giving up something I love. Have a great day!
Thank you posting. I did a post today on people's lack of knowledge regarding Lent and it's practices.
Interesting. I am not Catholic but my grandmother was and I knew a *very* little about Ash Wednesday. I think it's good to know about other religious practices as well as your own. Thanks for sharing!
I felt a little bad because I wanted to say something to one of the librarians today with a black smudge on her forehead and didn't. Now, I'm glad I didn't. It was there on purpose. Ha! Us Baptists just drink grape juice for communion. :-)
I was raised Baptist but had a BFF that was Catholic, dated 3 Catholic guys, and have been to Mass more times than I can count...including the midnight service on Christmas Eve (which was standing room only, and beautiful). I love all of the rich traditions and symbolism with Catholicism.
As a United Methodist my Ash Wednesday service wasn't until this evening, but I still proudly wore my "black smudge" to CVS!
Their Lutheran father said he never wanted my kids to get ashes. The 11-yo shocked me by going after school with his BFF, whom he worships, "because Brian said I should get them". The 16-yo goes to Catholic school; last year she stayed home on Ash Wednesday to avoid the whole thing, this year it was a non-issue because she was on winter break. I personally couldn't care less, and haven't gotten ashes in over 20 years. Cafeteria Catholic....
i found your blog via an old clemson friend and pinterest. i am a new englander who went to clemson. i can totally relate to being there and no one understandsing what it was to be catholic (i didn't really know what it was NOT to be catholic). i remember going to a bsu event my freshman year and someone asking me how long i'd been a christian. i didn't understand the question. i said "my whole life, i'm catholic". their response "oh.... i'm sorry." happy easter :O)
Post a Comment