"New" Catholic with a question re: Ash Wednesday

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Some background: I was baptised Catholic as an infant, but never took my 1st Communion, and never really attended Mass over the years, but I am currently enrolled in RCIA and will be confirmed this coming Easter Vigil.

I was just wondering if any of you long time Catholics could explain to me what goes on during the Ash Wednesday mass. As a baptised Catholic, would I be welcome to receieve the ashes on my forehead, or is it like communion where I wouldn't be welcome until I have completed the rites of initiation? And what are the rules for fasting during Lent? No meat on Fridays? Because someone (non-catholic) asked me about it, and I couldn't answer them. They had heard that Catholics weren't supposed to eat meat on ANY Fridays, not just Fridays during Lent. Thank you so much for your help!

Amy

-- Amy (amy20013@hotmail.com), February 17, 2003

Answers

I was just wondering if any of you long time Catholics could explain to me what goes on during the Ash Wednesday mass.

Besides the blessing & imposition of ashes, no difference at all in terms of the order of Mass.

As a baptised Catholic, would I be welcome to receieve the ashes on my forehead, or is it like communion where I wouldn't be welcome until I have completed the rites of initiation?

You may receive ashes. The ashes are a sacramental, like holy water. The idea is that they remind of of the passing and temporary nature of our life here on Earth, and of the need to pray & do pennance to prepare for the life to come.

And what are the rules for fasting during Lent? No meat on Fridays? Because someone (non-catholic) asked me about it, and I couldn't answer them. They had heard that Catholics weren't supposed to eat meat on ANY Fridays, not just Fridays during Lent.

Fasting means to have one principal (or full) meal during the day. You can have 2 smaller snacks which, when added together are less than a full meal. Not really so hard, is it? :)

Abstinance from meat is, I don't think, strictly required anymore during the Fridays of Lent, but it's a good practice not only for Lent, but for all Fridays throughout the year, as a means of mortification and joining our prayers and suffering with that of our crucified Lord. I'm sure someone will be along shortly who will quote the current regulations on fasting & abstinance.

Ash Wednesday & Good Friday are days when we observe both fast & abstinance from meat.

-- jake (jake1@pngusa.net), February 17, 2003.


In addition the ashes are for all who the believer comes in contact with throughout the day. As Jake said ashes are a sacramental (a sign) that we are followers of Christ and that we believe that we too one day, will be resurrected in glory. Ashes are a powerful witness to what we believe in.

Here is an article by Fr. Amaro Saumell which explains why Catholics wear ashes on Ash Wednesday:

Ash Wednesday

A few years ago, I had to write a letter of defense for someone who had lost their job because she insisted on wearing the customary ashes of Ash Wednesday to work. The following might help you if you run into the same difficulty...

The question has been raised concerning the practice of the public display of the wearing of Ashes to celebrate the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The custom itself find its roots in the Hebrew tradition of covering oneself with ashes during a time of mourning or repentance. The outward sign is significant in the Roman Catholic Tradition, for it gives witness to an identity.

On Ash Wednesday, preferably during Mass, but not restricted to it, ashes are applied to the forehead of the believer. Why the forehead"... one might ask. The answer to this is very simple. The forehead is visible. Just like any other sign that signifies the state of being of a person such as a wedding ring or engagement ring (also religious in significance in origin and still for many), ashes are a visible adornment that clearly emphasizes something about the person. The forehead of the person is the most logical place since this is the part of the body that was anointed with the Oil of the Catechumen just prior to Baptism. It is the part of the body that is anointed at the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is the part of the body that is anointed along with the hands at the Sacrament of the Sick. It is the part of the body by which we remind ourselves of Baptism through the blessing with Holy Water. In the earliest traditions of Ashes, the element of ashes were poured over the entire head and body.

For the Catholic, Ashes play an important role for the day. The first day of Lent is celebrated as an entire day, just as a wedding ring would be a sign "until death." It signifies the union of believers and their common bond of repentance for sins and great respect for the Passion of Him who we believe to be Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. They are generally burnt palms from Palm Sunday of the previous year. This sign reminds us of the "hosannas" sung in vain throughout the years, as vain as those shouted and sung before Jesus the week before He died. They are blessed with one of two prayers:

Lord, bless the sinner who asks forgiveness and bless all who receive these ashes. May they keep the Lenten season in preparation for the joy or Easter.

or Lord, bless these ashes by which we show that we are dust. Pardon our sins and keep us faithful to the discipline of Lent, for you do not want sinners to die but to live with the risen Christ, who reigns with you for ever and ever.

When they are imposed, two formula are generally used: Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

or Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return.

These formulae remind us that "the wages of sin is death" and that the death we suffer is life giving when it is a death to self and a new life in Christ through repentance. They remind us of the original intent just prior to Baptism and are applied in the same place and in the same manner as the Oil of the Catechumen. The only reason for distributing ashes on another part of the body would be an open wound or something of that nature, just as a person who has lost a hand would possibly wear a wedding band on the other hand. Considering that ashes are merely carbon, they pose no danger to anyone around who would normally be exposed to carbon paper or writing instruments that use carbon. They pose no more threat than that of cosmetics, for they too are an outward adornment of beauty of forgiveness.

People adorn themselves with may things which give personal meaning to their appearance, whether it be cosmetics, jewelry (wedding rings, hearts, crosses, Star of David, etc.), hemlines, ties, etc. This custom or wearing Ashes for one day of the year can be seen as any other custom (i.e. women of India and the dot on their forehead). They pose no danger to any person who comes in contact with them. The person wearing the Ashes should not be speaking of them unless asked. They are not to be used to coerce another into believing as the wearer does. It is simply meaningful to the person wearing them and would only have significance to those who might be interested and ask about them as any other adornment.

Hopefully, this short explanation will help the reader understand the minimal significance of the custom.

As for fasting, Canon 1251 says: Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

You can learn all about fasting here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05789c.htm

It may be prudent to remember that one should check with your local parish about the requirements for fasting as they can vary in the various Bishops (Episcopal) Conferences (ie. regional areas of authority) throughout the world.



-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), February 18, 2003.


Your question about ashes has been answered, but I still think we could use some clarification as to the Lenten regulations for fasting and abstaining. Fasting is required, (as it says above) on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Abstaining from meat is required of those adults (age 16 and over, I believe) on Fridays during Lent. Beyond Lent, the requirement of abstaining from meat has been lifted, but we are to practice some act of mortification or self-denial on Fridays, in recognition that Christ gave His life for us on the cross on Good Friday. Now, if I've erred, feel free to correct me, fellow Catholics! Pax Christi!

-- Anna <>< (Flower@youknow.com), February 18, 2003.

Again, it all depends on which Episcopal jurisdiction you live as to what is expected of you on days of fasting and abstinence. In the Western Rite of the Catholic Church, a day of fast is a day where eating habits are normally curtailed. Jake is correct in stating that most jurisdictions allow for one normal single meal and two smaller meals which together would not add up to a second normal meal. Fasting is required usually from all healthy Catholics ages eighteen to sixty. Days of abstinence are days where all healthy Catholics ages fourteen and over are asked to abstain from eating meat. Dispensation from fasting and abstinence for medical reasons can be obtained from your pastor.

In Canada, in accordance with the prescriptions of Canon 1253, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops decreed that the days of fast and abstinence are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fridays throughout the year are days of abstinence in Canada but Catholics may substitute special acts of charity or piety on this day.

You can check what the requirements are in several major regions of world here: http://216.247.160.99/law/af.shtml

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), February 18, 2003.


Thanks, Ed! Pax Christi.

-- Anna <>< (Flower@youknow.com), February 18, 2003.


HI, I WAS BORN TO A PROTESTANT FAMILY, CONVERTED AT AGE 18 TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH AND PERSONAL BELIEF. I AM ALSO AN ORDAINED CHRISTIAN INTER-FAITH MINISTER. MAYBE THE HISTORY OF ASH WEDNESDAY WILL HELP. IT ORIGINATED IN 900 A.D. AND IS REALLY CALLED "THE DAY OF ASHES". SINCE IT FELL ON WEDNESDAY EACH YEAR.. HENCH.. ASH WEDNESDAY. THIS IS A TIME OF PRAYER, FASTING, CHARITY AND PENNANCE. THE ASHES CARRY TWO MEANINGS, ONE OF PENNACE FOR WRONG DOING. THE SECOND MEANS WE ARE GODS CHILDREN. IT IS HIS SEAL.

THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS, CHAPTER 7 SPEAKS OF OF IT. BEFORE THE ANGLES CAME FROM THE 4 CORNERS OF EARTH TO DESTROY IT GOD SENT ANOTHER ANGLE CARRYING THE GREAT SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD AND IT READS..."wAIT, HE SHOUTED TO THOSE FOUR ANGELS WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN POWER TO INJURE EARTH, DO NOTHING UNTIL WE HAVE PLACED THE SEAL OF GOD UPON THE FOREHEADS OF HIS SERVANTS.

ON ASK WEDNESDAY WE START OUR PENNACE, GIVING TO OTHERS, PRAYER AND WHERE THE SEAL AS GODS CHILDREN..

REV.CON

-- REVEREND CON (REVERENDCONI@AOL.COM), March 11, 2003.


So, Rev. Con,

Do you presently practice the Catholic Faith, or practice a non- denominational faith?

Pax Christi.

-- Anna <>< (flower@youknow.com), March 11, 2003.


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