Can a nonCatholic recieve ashes on Ash Wed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter monkspon
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

monkspon

Guest
I work at a local University bookstore and some of the students have indicated that they would like to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday! There are Catholic and non Catholics in the group. Are all permitted to receive ashes???
 
Yes, non-Catholics are allowed to recieve Ashes on Ash Wednesday.
 
monkspon said:
I work at a local University bookstore and some of the students have indicated that they would like to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday! There are Catholic and non Catholics in the group. Are all permitted to receive ashes???
Click to expand...
Unlike Holy Communion which is open only to Catholics in good standing, ashes are sacramentals that can be received by anyone. As someone in another thread posted, there may be some graces for those who receive who are not Catholic as this may open the door for them to learn about the Faith.
 
In response to “can non-Catholics receive ashes,” I understand that according to Canon 1170 “Blessings which are to be imparted first of all to Caholics, can also be given to catechumens and even to non-Catholics unless there is a prohibitin of the Church to the contrary.”
I was just checking to see if any one was paying attention!
Thank you!
 
monkspon said:
In response to “can non-Catholics receive ashes,” I understand that according to Canon 1170 “Blessings which are to be imparted first of all to Caholics, can also be given to catechumens and even to non-Catholics unless there is a prohibitin of the Church to the contrary.”
I was just checking to see if any one was paying attention!
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Ah yes, but the distribution of ashes isn’t a “blessing” as such. The ashes are blessed, but the act of placing the ashes on the forehead isn’t a blessing.
 
FrDavid96 said:
Ah yes, but the distribution of ashes isn’t a “blessing” as such. The ashes are blessed, but the act of placing the ashes on the forehead isn’t a blessing.
Click to expand...
That is very true, that is why there is a plethora of people helping the celebrant out when it comes to the distribution of the ashes. I do not know about any of you, but I am very much looking foward to Lent. 👍
 
We are having mass at 7:30 am with ashes and then 8:30 children time and adults it they wish. Then, at 6:30pm, Father said we are having ashes with a baptist group coming to our Church, Africa American, and they want ashes and their Choir will sing for us. I think this will be grand.
 
Just wondering about going to the Catholic church tomorrow for Ash Wed. I’m Lutheran but not going to my church(problems) and wondered if I could come up for this at the Catholic church?
Thanks,
mlz
 
I would say YES. It’s not a Sacrament and even babies can receive ashes. I say do it and get into the spirit of Lent…
 
You can absolutely receive ashes. They are a sacramental, not a Sacrament, and can thus be received by anyone, of any age, Catholic or not, as a means to grow closer to God.
As for the Eucharist, you should abstain…as for the ashes, please receive!!! :).
 
I’m glad someone else asked this because I was wondering the same thing myself. I’m a bit afraid of doing the wrong thing and this fear is only exacerbated by a thread I’ve read on here about how the communion line is NOT a blessing line.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=292341&highlight=blessing+communion

I always thought you could go up with your arms crossed in front of you (a signal that you aren’t able to receive communion yet and just receive a blessing) but apparently that’s wrong. Basically I usually just stay in my seat cause I’m too afraid to go up to the front of the church for fear of offending someone.

So if I’m not getting communion tomorrow but I would like to get the ashes what exactly do I do?
 
ConcernedApathy said:
I’m glad someone else asked this because I was wondering the same thing myself. I’m a bit afraid of doing the wrong thing and this fear is only exacerbated by a thread I’ve read on here about how the communion line is NOT a blessing line.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=292341&highlight=blessing+communion

I always thought you could go up with your arms crossed in front of you (a signal that you aren’t able to receive communion yet and just receive a blessing) but apparently that’s wrong. Basically I usually just stay in my seat cause I’m too afraid to go up to the front of the church for fear of offending someone.

So if I’m not getting communion tomorrow but I would like to get the ashes what exactly do I do?
Click to expand...
When they announce they will be giving out ashes, usually after the Homily/Sermon, just get in line and follow others. A Priest, Deacon, or Lay Person will put the ashes on your forehead in the Sign of the Cross and remind you that you are dust and to dust you shall return or something of that nature. Then just follow others back to your pew.

Peace be with you my friends…
 
I see, thanks guys. I thought I had read on a few peoples blogs, info that seemed to imply both things happened one right the other.

Thanks for the help. 🙂
 
ConcernedApathy said:
I’m glad someone else asked this because I was wondering the same thing myself. I’m a bit afraid of doing the wrong thing and this fear is only exacerbated by a thread I’ve read on here about how the communion line is NOT a blessing line.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=292341&highlight=blessing+communion

I always thought you could go up with your arms crossed in front of you (a signal that you aren’t able to receive communion yet and just receive a blessing) but apparently that’s wrong. Basically I usually just stay in my seat cause I’m too afraid to go up to the front of the church for fear of offending someone.

So if I’m not getting communion tomorrow but I would like to get the ashes what exactly do I do?
Click to expand...
Not much - just make sure your hair is off your forehead so that the priest can put the ashes there. 🙂

You don’t have to say anything. The priest will either say something like, “Repent and believe the Gospel,” or else he will say something like, “Dust thou art,and to dust thou shalt return; therefore, repent.”
 
I remember Fr. Benedict Groeschel saying that even some Jewish people come into the Catholic Church on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes. From what I understand, anyone can.

…and I thought we were to respond Amen.
 
Simon_X said:
I would say YES. It’s not a Sacrament and even babies can receive ashes. I say do it and get into the spirit of Lent…
Click to expand...
I believe those not of the age of reason are not to receive, since they cannot sin.

This is the rule in our church, but I don’t have time to look for the official documentation—anyone have it handy?

Lux
 
Lux_et_Tenebrae said:
I believe those not of the age of reason are not to receive, since they cannot sin.

This is the rule in our church, but I don’t have time to look for the official documentation—anyone have it handy?

Lux
Click to expand...
I don’t believe there is one. At least, there’s no distinction made in the Sacramentary.

Here’s how I look at it. “Remember man that you are dust and unto dust you shall return” applies to everyone, even infants though they haven’t committed any actual sins yet. If the parents bring the children and “look like” they’re expecting ashes, I give the children ashes.
 
I thought I had read somewhere that only baptized persons could receive sacramentals, but I may stand corrected of course.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top