C
CatholicSpirit
Guest
I am being offered an opportunity to either go on my own to a Church to receive my ashes today, or obtain them from a VA (military) Chaplain. Does it matter which is chosen?
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Not as far as the ashes are concerned. (I’m making the assumption the ashes are blessed either way.)
There might be other reasons to go to one place or the other.
B
Bookcat
Guest
Catholic Chaplain right?
One may choose if so.
One may choose if so.
O
on_the_hill
Guest
I would think that a military chaplain who is distributing ashes has the proper authority to do so. 
B
Bookcat
Guest
If he is a Catholic…I would think that a military chaplain who is distributing ashes has the proper authority to do so.
R
Roseeurekacross
Guest
The ashes are blessed. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday for us here. The Bishop had a few lay helpers to put the ashes on foreheads. There were many at Mass. A sign of the cross is made with the ashes, and the words we used were
Repent and believe in the Gospel. People answered Amen.
Our Ashes came from burning last year’s blessed palm fronds. People keep them at home for the year, then bring them in to burn for Ash Wednesday.
Repent and believe in the Gospel. People answered Amen.
Our Ashes came from burning last year’s blessed palm fronds. People keep them at home for the year, then bring them in to burn for Ash Wednesday.
O
on_the_hill
Guest
Protestant denominations also observe Ash Wednesday though. Must a Catholic receive ashes from a Catholic only ?
While I don’t know that receiving ashes from a protestant chaplain would be “wrong”, (unless a priest or deacon had somehow done so,) the ashes would not be blessed.
O
on_the_hill
Guest
Good point.
B
Bookcat
Guest
No I would not suggest one should. In fact one year my wife and I were in the hospital with the birth of one of our children …she had identified as a Catholic and had expressed the desire to receive ashes for Lent and if I recall correctly Holy Communion if possible.
A woman came in on Ash Weds - and greeted us and began to pray before she imposed the ashes - but I then asked her -what Parish are you from or are your from Z Catholic Church that I knew was not far away- to which she replied what she was - which was some kind of Protestant community. At which point we declined the ashes…and said something friendly to her…and she departed…we later complained to those who oversee things there so such would not happen to another.
Why would one receive ashes from someone not in full communion with the Catholic Church?
Such would *not be a sacramental *of the Church but a rite of a community not in full Communion with the Catholic Church. So no I would think a Catholic should.
C
CatholicSpirit
Guest
It was a non-Catholic chaplain. I went to the Catholic mass instead and was glad to do so. Whether or not it was blessed was a concern. Thanks for the replies!
T
Tommy999
Guest
Are ashes always administered on the forehead in the Catholic Church?
In my Methodist congregation, there was an option given to have ashes put on the forehead or the back of the hand. Over 95% of the people had them placed on their forehead, although I saw a few who had it done on their hands.
Just curious if any Catholic parishes allow it to be done on the hand.
In my Methodist congregation, there was an option given to have ashes put on the forehead or the back of the hand. Over 95% of the people had them placed on their forehead, although I saw a few who had it done on their hands.
Just curious if any Catholic parishes allow it to be done on the hand.
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Bookcat
Guest
No I would think not.
Tis on the head. Either on the forehead (USA etc) or on sprinkled on top of ones head (in Europe).
T
Tommy999
Guest
Ok, thanks for clarifying, Bookcat. I was surprised it was an option to have it put on the hand at my church. although the vast majority of folks elected to have it done on their forehead in the traditional way.
M
MissBorgia
Guest
Seriously, no offense to any Methodist members but what the heck? that is the silliest thing i have ever heard. and I would say thats a big NO on ashes on the back of the hand.
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