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Annie_B
Guest
Are Catholics required to go to Mass on Ash Wednesday?
ANnie
ANnie
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Catholic1954
Guest
No. Catholics are obliged to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days only; Ash Wednesday is neither.
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Annie_B
Guest
Thank you so much for your speedy answer 
Annie
Annie
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CMatt25
Guest
And which days of the week on which Catholics are obliged to attend Holy Days can depend on which diocese you are in around the world.
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Nicea325
Guest
No! Not a holyday of obligation.However, I find it amazing how so many come to Ash Wednesday but will blow off every Sunday until Easter Sunday?.
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Scoobyshme
Guest
You are correct! In fact, our parish has more services for Ash Wednesday than either Christmas or Easter! And more people attend Ash Wednesday services than either! Go figure!
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jpjd
Guest
Well the cynic in me says Ash Wed attendance is so high because it’s a novelty; it only happens once a year. The Eucharist is every Sunday and therefore “nothing special.”
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CMatt25
Guest
Interesting. I’m not attending Mass or any religious service today. Though I haven’t had anything to eat or drink yet other than a cup of juice and it is nearing dinner time where I am. Yet I am likely to attend a Mass before Easter. Go figure. 
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Catherine_k
Guest
I was amazed today at how crowded 7:00 AM mass was… Standing room only.
Out and about today, probably 1 in 4 are wearing ashes… (and the local parishes have not been shy with the application of the ashes )
I read that many people who are unable (for various reason) to go forward for communion are not prohibited from going forward for ashes and therefore feel a special connection to Ash Wednesday. If that’s true, I find it incredibly sad that so many are so distant…
And hopeful too… maybe Today can be the beginning of their return.
Out and about today, probably 1 in 4 are wearing ashes… (and the local parishes have not been shy with the application of the ashes
)I read that many people who are unable (for various reason) to go forward for communion are not prohibited from going forward for ashes and therefore feel a special connection to Ash Wednesday. If that’s true, I find it incredibly sad that so many are so distant…
And hopeful too… maybe Today can be the beginning of their return.
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yellowbird
Guest
YIKES! Were we supposed to fast today? I have been so preoccupied with a sick child… back & forth to doctors… I somehow missed that Ash Wednesday is a day of fast?! I have been Catholic for 5 years… still learning.Interesting. I’m not attending Mass or any religious service today. Though I haven’t had anything to eat or drink yet other than a cup of juice and it is nearing dinner time where I am. Yet I am likely to attend a Mass before Easter. Go figure.
… I sooooo did not fast today.
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Nicea325
Guest
Yeah! All day my phone is ringing asking about Ash Wednesday,but I wish they would feel the same about every Sunday!
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Shiranui117
Guest
Don’t worry about it; it’s not as if you’ll be condemned for not keeping the fast! Sunday evening/Monday was the beginning of the fast for us Byzantine Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, and I plumb forgot that until I had just finished paying for an egg mcmuffin, which I couldn’t take back. OOPS!YIKES! Were we supposed to fast today? I have been so preoccupied with a sick child… back & forth to doctors… I somehow missed that Ash Wednesday is a day of fast?! I have been Catholic for 5 years… still learning.
… I sooooo did not fast today.
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CMatt25
Guest
Yeah depending on your age. 18 thru 59. I’m old enough to recall when yrs ago the rule was 21 thru 59. Also abstain from meat. Ages 14 and up. The abstinance part is also for all Fridays from now thru Good Fri. Well anyway I guess don’t forget Good Fri. The next obligated day of fast. Personally I think God can understand though about your preoccupation with your sick child. But Catholics here may differ with that observation. They’ll let you know if you need to go to confession or something. Peace and I pray your child begins to feel better and well. God bless.YIKES! Were we supposed to fast today? I have been so preoccupied with a sick child… back & forth to doctors… I somehow missed that Ash Wednesday is a day of fast?! I have been Catholic for 5 years… still learning.
… I sooooo did not fast today.
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CMatt25
Guest
You only pd for one!Don’t worry about it; it’s not as if you’ll be condemned for not keeping the fast! Sunday evening/Monday was the beginning of the fast for us Byzantine Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, and I plumb forgot that until I had just finished paying for an egg mcmuffin, which I couldn’t take back. OOPS!
My McDonalds has 2 for $3!
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yellowbird
Guest
I wonder if I could make up for it by fasting tomorrow?
Thank you for the prayers for my child, they are much appreciated.
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CMatt25
Guest
If you’re asking me personally which I doubt you are, I’d say sure. I don’t see these specific rules of fasting spelled out in the Bible. But then I know in the Catholic faith the hierarchy can set the rules as they hear them to be from God and I don’t speak for Catholics on this matter. Myself I haven’t eaten in 22 hours which is never a good thing for me because then I only want to eat more once I do. And this bag of potato chips are REALLY buggin me to no end! But hopefully someone will come along and let you know. I’m sure they will. Hope you and your child have a good night’s rest after your trials today. Blessings to you both. And peace.Oh btw PS - :clapping:
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yellowbird
Guest
Just want you to know you made me laugh which is something I really needed today.:Oh btw PS - :clapping:
Thanks & God bless you.
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CMatt25
Guest
Well just so you know I ended up going 23 hrs without eating and then as suspected the entire bag of chips disappeared along with a fish sandwich and small salad.
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rinnie
Guest
Well look at the bright side, Maybe that Wed. willl bring them back for good. I never see anything ever negative for anyone walking into the Church.Yeah! All day my phone is ringing asking about Ash Wednesday,but I wish they would feel the same about every Sunday!
And maybe that short visit, and the long feeling of peace afterwards will show them what they have been missing.
The positive is though there is a need in them to go, and even if that for that one day, they addressed that need. I am sure our Father in heaven was rejoicing to see them back!!
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CMatt25
Guest
Well according to a couple of responses on Apologetics my rather large bag of potato chips did not violate the Ash Wed rules. :extrahappy: Now I’m going for a fish sandwich today!
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