Ash Wednesday Question-Haven't attended

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Hoosiers0404

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I haven’t been to an Ash Wednesday Mass since I was a kid but I am going to attend tomorrow and I would like to understand some stuff.

What are the procedures involved in recieving ashes during the mass?

Do you perform the sign of the cross after recieving ashes or what happens?

Are we as Catholics required to keep our ashes on our forehead all day or can we wipe them off after mass?

Those are just a few of the questions I have and if there is anything else anyone would like to add I would be more then willing to listen. Thanks.
 
You’ll line up to recieve the ashes similar to how you line up for the Holy Eucharist. Just don’t be the first, and look at what everyone else does… 😃 You’ll never be wrong making the sign of the Cross in Church so don’t worry about that.

Good luck, I leave my ashes on all day, but I believe it’s your perogative. If you’re just going to wipe them off after Mass, there’s really no sense in getting them as far as I’m concerned.
 
I have one question to ask: What is the meaning of the ashes and why do we get them put on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday?

maybe that was 2 questions, but thanks for the replies. 😃
 
the ashes are obtained by burning the old palms left from Palm Sunday last year. the purpose of ashes is that they are an ancient symbol of penance even in biblical times. the invocation the minister uses expresses the purpose: remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return. another invocation is, turn away from sin and embrace the cross (or something similar, I don’t have the exact words). both express the purpose. This is the beginning of Lent in the Latin Rite, a time of penance, and specifically the time of purification and enlightment and intense conversion for the catechumens who are preparing to enter the Church at Easter. We wear ashes as a sign of penance and sorrow for our sins, and our desire for continuing conversion.
 
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Hoosiers0404:
I haven’t been to an Ash Wednesday Mass since I was a kid but I am going to attend tomorrow and I would like to understand some stuff.

What are the procedures involved in recieving ashes during the mass?

Do you perform the sign of the cross after recieving ashes or what happens?

Are we as Catholics required to keep our ashes on our forehead all day or can we wipe them off after mass?

Those are just a few of the questions I have and if there is anything else anyone would like to add I would be more then willing to listen. Thanks.
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Lots of “technical” questions - let’s just be sure you are seeing the “big picture” -OK?
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Lent is a period of forty days and nights(remember Christ was tempted for 40 days and nights?) where we are preparing for the holiest day of the year and the most meaningful event in the history of mankind: Easter Sunday. During that period of time we are renewing the call to repentance - through Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving(Charity). Basically its a time set aside for turning to God in a special way.
Give it some serious thought in prayer as to how you plan to draw closer to God through fasting, and prayer, and search for something meaningful to do in terms of Charity.
OK, now on to your questions:

"I haven’t been to an Ash Wednesday Mass since I was a kid "
Sounds like you need to go to confession before you recieve the Eucharist, but no problem receiving your ashes…

What are the procedures involved in recieving ashes during the mass?
Attend Mass and simply walk up at the appropriate time to get your ashes.

Do you perform the sign of the cross after recieving ashes or what happens?

Try to internalize the symbolism and make it something meaningful. Saying “Amen” cant hurt - it simply acknowledges agreement to what the Priest says(see puzzleannies post)

Are we as Catholics required to keep our ashes on our forehead all day or can we wipe them off after mass?

You should leave them on. One day out of the year where you are called to witness in a special way to our Lord - think about it. Think real hard - are you ashamed to be associated with Jesus Christ? I’d love to get ashes more often…
 
OK, Iso I struck up an argument after mass with an ash wiper-offer. He said to leave them on is to be like the falsely pious Pharisee in the reading. I disagree–that only pertains to false piety and not a sincere act of piety in receiving and wearing ahshes. Does anyone have support either way?
 
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just5kids:
OK, Iso I struck up an argument after mass with an ash wiper-offer. He said to leave them on is to be like the falsely pious Pharisee in the reading. I disagree–that only pertains to false piety and not a sincere act of piety in receiving and wearing ahshes. Does anyone have support either way?
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Well, I agree with you just5kids. The only way I would see it as a false piety is if I were to go out in public like shopping and hoping everybody would notice the ashes & think I was pious. At lease that’s the way I understood the readings.
 
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