Ashes and ash wednesday

[billcu1]

The times I have went to Ash Wed. and I didn’t get to go this year. But I just went home and after the celebration washed the ashes off and went on. Is this wrong? I have been seeing people go all day with those ashes. Now is that what you are supposed to do? What about in countries and places where wearing those ashes would put you in danger? Like anti Catholic countries that would arrest or persecute you? Like the martyrs time in the early church.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

There really aren’t rules that say what you’re supposed to do. If you would be uncomfortable or unsafe by leaving them on, then wash them off. If you want to make a statement by leaving them on, then leave them on. My wording may imply criticism by saying “making a statement.” I don’t mean it as any kind of criticism.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

You can wash off the ashes if you want. Obviously if you were in a country where your life would be in danger from publicly self-identifying as a Christian, you’d probably wash them off.

The vast majority of us are in countries where our lives aren’t in danger and the most we might have to put up with is some verbal remarks or funny looks, so many people choose to leave them on all day. It’s a choice though and not a Church requirement that you leave them on. I also know people who don’t get their ashes till 5 pm when their work/ school day is done so they only have them on for a maximum of a few hours sitting around their house.