Can I receive the ashes tomorrow?

[JacquelineGrace]

Hi again!

Ok, so I am still not officially Catholic but I was considering receiving the ashes tomorrow. My mom would like to as well. Can we do that? I know that we cannot receive the Eucharist but my understanding is that we can partake of everything else. Right?

We will be abstaining from meat and the such anyway. Do you have any other words of advice for me regarding any of this? Any help would be welcome. Thanks ahead of time for the answer!

 

[dailey]

Yes, you can receive ashes tomorrow.

 

[paperwight66]

Yes, of course, you’d both be very welcome to.
Just queue up with everyone else, and stand in front of whoever is distributing them (it might not be a priest). I usually say Amen in response to what they say, but don’t worry if you forget - it’s not necessary. Then go back to your place.

And welcome! I hope your journey to future full Church membership is very happy.

 

[JacquelineGrace]

Thank you! I appreciate your answers! That is good to know.

 

[pablope]

Hi again!

Ok, so I am still not officially Catholic but I was considering receiving the ashes tomorrow. My mom would like to as well. Can we do that? I know that we cannot receive the Eucharist but my understanding is that we can partake of everything else. Right?

We will be abstaining from meat and the such anyway. Do you have any other words of advice for me regarding any of this? Any help would be welcome. Thanks ahead of time for the answer!

Yes and your mom can certainly receive the ashes. But do keep in mind it is catholic practice/tradition to keep the ashes on all day.

As one convert recounted on the Journey Home, his favorite of lent is Ash Wednesday, and he always wish a big ash cross on his forehead because he could display the ash cross all day to his non-catholic friends.

 

[JacquelineGrace]

Yes and your mom can certainly receive the ashes. But do keep in mind it is catholic practice/tradition to keep the ashes on all day.

As one convert recounted on the Journey Home, his favorite of lent is Ash Wednesday, and he always wish a big ash cross on his forehead because he could display the ash cross all day to his non-catholic friends.

I totally identify with that convert! I will be leaving them on all day as a testament to my (new) faith! Thank you!

 

[Robert_Burns]

Yes, of course, you’d both be very welcome to.
Just queue up with everyone else, and stand in front of whoever is distributing them (it might not be a priest). I usually say Amen in response to what they say, but don’t worry if you forget - it’s not necessary. Then go back to your place.

And welcome! I hope your journey to future full Church membership is very happy.

They say " Remember man , thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return"

 

[SonCatcher]

Are you in RCIA? If so, you should ask the director if there is something else planned for you. If not, then ashes it is.

 

[estesbob]

Hi again!

Ok, so I am still not officially Catholic but I was considering receiving the ashes tomorrow. My mom would like to as well. Can we do that? I know that we cannot receive the Eucharist but my understanding is that we can partake of everything else. Right?

We will be abstaining from meat and the such anyway. Do you have any other words of advice for me regarding any of this? Any help would be welcome. Thanks ahead of time for the answer!

Absolutely!

 

[JacquelineGrace]

Are you in RCIA? If so, you should ask the director if there is something else planned for you. If not, then ashes it is.

Not yet. The local RCIA classes in my area do not start again until Sept of this year. Thanks for the head up though!

 

[puzzleannie]

Hi again!

Ok, so I am still not officially Catholic but I was considering receiving the ashes tomorrow. My mom would like to as well. Can we do that? I know that we cannot receive the Eucharist but my understanding is that we can partake of everything else. Right?

yes anyone may receive ashes, they are a sacramental, not a sacrament
anyone may engage in any pentitential practice they wish, the standard advice is to do it uniting the spirit of prayer, fasting and works of mercy.

 

[mswood]

You may receive ashes if you are not Catholic, but only if you are a validly baptized christian. Catechumen (unbaptized person currently in RCIA) are the only ones that are not baptized that should receive ashes.

 

[SonCatcher]

You may receive ashes if you are not Catholic, but only if you are a validly baptized christian. Catechumen (unbaptized person currently in RCIA) are the only ones that are not baptized that should receive ashes.

I am not sure this is the case due to the current practice. There is nothing inherent in the ash ceremony that requires they be received by baptized persons only.

In ancient times, the Bishop would anoint those catechumens ready to be baptized with oil. Those who were not ready for baptism were instead blessed with water. Those baptized persons present would be marked with ashes. Initially, those receiving ashes were likely in the minority. As time progressed and these areas became progressively more Christian, the vast majority received ashes and the ceremony received its modern significance. As far as I know, the blessing with water has been completely discontinued (my parish does anoint catechumens to be received at Easter with oil - at least, I’m pretty sure that’s what I saw).

As for a more explicit answer on unbaptized persons, CUF has a Q&A that covers this question.

Can. 1170 Blessings which are to be imparted first of all to Catholics, can also be given to catechumens and even to non-Catholics unless there is a prohibition of the Church to the contrary.

Since ashes are not explicitly forbidden to anyone, they are allowed to everyone.

 

[JacquelineGrace]

You may receive ashes if you are not Catholic, but only if you are a validly baptized christian. Catechumen (unbaptized person currently in RCIA) are the only ones that are not baptized that should receive ashes.

I am not sure this is the case due to the current practice. There is nothing inherent in the ash ceremony that requires they be received by baptized persons only.

In ancient times, the Bishop would anoint those catechumens ready to be baptized with oil. Those who were not ready for baptism were instead blessed with water. Those baptized persons present would be marked with ashes. Initially, those receiving ashes were likely in the minority. As time progressed and these areas became progressively more Christian, the vast majority received ashes and the ceremony received its modern significance. As far as I know, the blessing with water has been completely discontinued (my parish does anoint catechumens to be received at Easter with oil - at least, I’m pretty sure that’s what I saw).

As for a more explicit answer on unbaptized persons, CUF has a Q&A that covers this question.

Since ashes are not explicitly forbidden to anyone, they are allowed to everyone.

Thank you both. I have already been baptized in the Baptist denomination. I should be okay then, yes?

 

[Biedrik]

Thank you both. I have already been baptized in the Baptist denomination. I should be okay then, yes?

Yes, you should be fine.

 

[paperwight66]

They say " Remember man , thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return"

No, not always. In our parish we use an alternative, which is '‘Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel’. There might be others, too. This is why I wasn’t specific in my instructions in case it threw the OP to hear something different.