Can I remove the ash from my forehead?

[PennitentMan]

I went to mass this morning and I have ash on my forehead.

I have been walking around with it all day, answering all sorts of questions and the odd joke from colleagues.
I have no problem with it at all.

My question is, tonight I have an important meeting with someone about a new job…can I remove the ash for that?
I want to make a good impresion and I don’t know who he will react to the ashes or Catholocism in general

Would that be ok?

Thanks!
PM

 

[exiled]

I don’t know what church teaching is, but I would think the ashes would be considered a “sacramental”. So as long as you give some reverence to it, as opposed to vigorously scrubbing it off out of embarrassment, I should think it is okay.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

This should answer your question: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=133145