Ashes

[Nils]

A very pious old lady in my parish asked the Priest to make a Cross out of ashes on her forehead today (Sunday) also. I have never seen this except for on Ash Wednesday before but I suppose you can do it all throughout lent? Is this common where you live?

 

[Phemie]

I think it depends on the priest.

I’ve known priests who impose ashes after Mass on the First Sunday of Lent for anyone who’d missed out on Ash Wednesday.

OTOH, I’ve known others who categorically refused to do this because Ash Wednesday can’t be replicated and the practice encourages liturgical laziness.

 

[mountee]

I have certainly never seen this and would be interested to see what others have to say.

 

[Zekariya]

Ashes are a sacramental like holy water. I am certain that the priest can only bless the ashes on Ash Wednesday. Unless there are liturgical rules that says that ashes can only be given on Ash Wednesday, I’d say that it is up to the priest to decide if he wants to give out this sacramental on the First Sunday of Lent.

 

[Allegra]

If people were allowed to put ashes on their faces today, it would cause scandal, because then people would think that Catholics don’t wash their faces.

 

[suezette]

Actually, I was surprised last Sunday when the priest announced that ashes would not be given on any other day of the week but Wednesday. Then I thought, “perhaps he said that so people get encouraged to come in large numbers on Ash Wednesday”, but I think he was serious. On ash Wednesdays, I always get to see the largest numbers in Church but someone once told me it’s not only Catholics. Now,during the subsequent Masses, the priests usually announce to those who did not receive the ash to remain behind and this is done till the 1st Sunday of Lent, so to me it has been very normal.
Our parish priest surprised me this time and am also surprised this is new to you.
I can not say it is wrong but honestly think we should always try and make time on Ash Wednesday as the Masses are usually several.

 

[allen2690]

I just attended a Tridentine Mass this morning and the priest announced before his sermon that those who were not able to receive the ashes on Ash Wednesday could receive them after Mass. There was a large group of people, myself included, who lined up and knelt to receive the ashes. I guess the imposition of the ashes could also be performed on the First Sunday of Lent.

 

[Nils]

So is it only for those who missed Mass on Ash Wednesday? No one announed that it was possible, she just walked up to the Priest and asked.

This lady is one of those traditional old women who usually try to keep all the pre Vatican II practices from their youth and I was thinking that maybe it is a pious thing from the past…

Very well, I suppose I could just ask her the next time I see her!