Ash Wednesday: will you go about your day WITHOUT washing your forehead?

[warpspeedpetey]

until last year i lived in a little southern town, in the deep south, where our parish consisted of maybe 20 people.

it gave me an excuse to prosylitize the faith because almost the entire town was some variation of baptist.

i wore the heck outta them ashes!

.

 

[lizaanne]

Ok, gotta tell my best Ash Wednesday story: about 10 years ago, went to the 6:30 a.m. Mass, went to work with my ashes. We are having a staff meeting first thing in the a.m., one of my fellow co-workers is a SERIOUSLY gungho, fundamentalist, born-again, Protestant youth minister. Sees the ashes and goes after me. I explain, he doesn’t really listen but just goes on and on with his misguided babbling. I reach my tolerance level and say, “You know, we use these for converting people, too.” Then I rub my forehead on his real quick before he has a chance to react! :yup:

Thought he was going to have a stroke…

I LOVE THAT!!! LOL!!! (He probably thought you were going to kiss him!!! )

~Liza

 

[SwizzleStick]

Ok, gotta tell my best Ash Wednesday story: about 10 years ago, went to the 6:30 a.m. Mass, went to work with my ashes. We are having a staff meeting first thing in the a.m., one of my fellow co-workers is a SERIOUSLY gungho, fundamentalist, born-again, Protestant youth minister. Sees the ashes and goes after me. I explain, he doesn’t really listen but just goes on and on with his misguided babbling. I reach my tolerance level and say, “You know, we use these for converting people, too.” Then I rub my forehead on his real quick before he has a chance to react! :yup:

Thought he was going to have a stroke…

:clapping: :clapping:

 

[Angels_Unaware]

I am afraid I would get in trouble at work if I went to a morning Mass and left them on. Someone would complain that it was hate speech. I always go to the late afternoon or evening Mass.

 

[rpp]

I am afraid I would get in trouble at work if I went to a morning Mass and left them on. Someone would complain that it was hate speech. I always go to the late afternoon or evening Mass.

Let them complain. It would only demonstrate that those who accuse other of “hate speech” are the ones who are, generally, actually guilty of it.

 

[Appleby]

Our local bus company is running an Atheist Bus Advertisement starting Ash Wednesday and someone wrote in to our paper suggesting that Catholics leave our ashes visible today as a silent counterpoint. Personally I also prayed my rosary on the subway to work. Personally I always do that. And a woman came up to me one day and told me that she had seen me praying and decided to begin doing so herself.

If you are not doing it to show off (or as my Southern Granny would have said, “to strut”) I think it could be a testimony.

 

[Angels_Unaware]

Let them complain. It would only demonstrate that those who accuse other of “hate speech” are the ones who are, generally, actually guilty of it.

I agree, but we have rules against putting religous or political statements on display publicly. It has to do with my career field.

I would just end up looking like somebody who was being obstinate by breaking a clearly established rule. I wish I could.

 

[rpp]

I agree, but we have rules against putting religous or political statements on display publicly. It has to do with my career field.

I would just end up looking like somebody who was being obstinate by breaking a clearly established rule. I wish I could.

There are such things as unjust rules.

May God bless you in your struggles.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

I am afraid I would get in trouble at work if I went to a morning Mass and left them on. Someone would complain that it was hate speech. I always go to the late afternoon or evening Mass.

Being a type A+++ personality, I would welcome a confrontation like this.

 

[Vallelunga]

does it matter? who cares?

That’s right. When I receive ashes on my forehead, I do it because it’s part of my faith and it reminds me of how fragile and insignificant I am without God; because if He wills it, I become dust again. I don’t even think of rubbing it off. It shouldn’t matter who sees it. If someone feels embarrassed by it, they shouldn’t receive it in the first place.

 

[warpspeedpetey]

That’s right. When I receive ashes on my forehead, I do it because it’s part of my faith and it reminds me of how fragile and insignificant I am without God; because if He wills it, I become dust again. I don’t even think of rubbing it off. It shouldn’t matter who sees it. If someone feels embarrassed by it, they shouldn’t receive it in the first place.

hear, here!!!

 

[Lepanto]

I agree, but we have rules against putting religous or political statements on display publicly. It has to do with my career field.

I would just end up looking like somebody who was being obstinate by breaking a clearly established rule. I wish I could.

Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." [Matthew 5:10-12]

 

[torch621]

I received the ashes at four and wore them until just now. I washed them off since I’m about to go to bed in a few mintues and I don’t want to smudge my pillow all up.

I hope I’m being disrespectful or anything.

 

[vickimonica]

I am curious, why would one care whether they kept them there or not? Are they put there as some sort of badge of honor, to be shown to the world - “Attention! I am Catholic and I am not afraid to show it!”, or “Attention, world! let it be known by all who meet me today, I fulfilled my obligation and attended Ash Wednesday mass. The proof is here, on my forehead!”

I recall a priest a few years ago, when asked whether it was okay to wipe off the ashes, responded: “Why on earth not?”

Is there an actual reason why we must keep them visible all day?

imho

I agree 110%. You know, not supposed to draw attention to yourselves for the wrong reasons…
Same w/ giving up something for Lent. Aren’t we supposed to keep this to ourselves instead of going around “announcing” what we are giving up?

 

[RosalieM]

I was happy to be seen with my ashes. I received them at a 12:10 cathedral mass where the bishop presided with about four other priests.
On my way home, on the bus, people reacted. Someone said, “you have charcoal on your face” and was corrected by the person seated next to him who scolded him saying, “it’s Ash Wednesday!” The other guy apologized and I told him it was okay. Then a young lady asked me if I knew of other masses where she could receive ashes. I did, and named a few.
It was a very positive experience. Later in the evening at home, I thought to myself, “I am a daughter of the Church.” May we all have a fruitful, blessingful Lenten season. Looking forward to Easter!

 

[DHC1Chipmunk]

I left my ashes on my forehead all day because in my RCIA classes we were told that wearing our ashes is a form of witnessing for Christ.

 

[thirdn6]

And the priest told me, “From dust YOU came, to dust YOU shall return” then he gave me the mark on my forehead. He didn’t add, “Keep it a secret”!

If he told me, “From dust YOU came, YOU are now immortal” (?!?) then maybe I will keep it a secret!!

Peace but Truth is more important.

 

[Jason_1977]

I left mine on…there’s still a smudge on my forehead. If it draws attention, then it means not everyone else had the pleasure & they’re missing out.

 

[Deacon_Ed_B]

YES

 

[MaryMagdala]

I have worn “bangs” all year long for many years.

When they put the ashes on, they usually go under the bangs to do it.

I wear the ashes as a proud Catholic, but not because of pride.

The bangs usually keep them covered so as not to draw attention to them in an unseemly way. However, I do not remove them until bedtime. The only places I went yesterday were to church and pick up dh at work, so they didn’t draw any attention.