Does it matter where you get ashes?

[KBS]

I can’t find a schedule for the Roman Catholic church’s distribution of ashes and have already missed the morning services.

A google search revealed that a local Methodist church is holding a “drive-thru” service so Christians can receive their ashes “on-the-go” … they are open into the early evening and I’m pretty sure that I could actually manage this.

Is it ok to get ashes from another church?
(I’m really struggling with my faith these days but I read that one does not need to be in a state of Grace for the ashes - I was thinking that maybe doing this might bring me a little closer. It would be the first time in many years.)

 

[Bluebright]

I wouldn’t go to non catholic church, it’s not the same. You don’t have to go today, it’s not a Holy day of obligation. If you have missed it, ask God to help you want to go to mass on Sunday and leave it at that. Have a look on YouTube for a talk on Lent and or Ash Wednesday that might help you with your faith. Fr Mike (Schmidt) is good at answering faith questions so try following him on ascension press. I’ll pray for you God bless x

Ps most Catholic churches do have an evening service.

 

[KBS]

Thank you for your reply. (I’m glad I asked!)

I just checked the mass schedule for our local Catholic Church - no evening masses except for Saturday vigils - several years ago our church was combined with that of a neighboring town and our priest now serves both communities, so he splits masses between the two churches. Neither church has an evening service.

Perhaps, there just isn’t the attendance required to justify hold evening masses.

It seems that I’ve missed it all - I spent the morning volunteering so wouldn’t have been able to attend the early mass anyway. (It’s ok - it was just a passing thought that maybe this might be a thing that I should try to do this year.)

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If you can still get to the Methodist church, I think you should consider going. You want to do something for your spiritual life to start Lent so take that step. And perhaps on Sunday you’ll continue your Lenten journey by going to Mass.

 

[twf]

And of course if you don’t get to Mass or receive the ashes, you can certainly still observe Ash Wednesday. The “obligatory” aspect of today is fast and abstinence… so really observing that is at the heart of the day.

 

[KBS]

Thank you, Bluebright, SuscipeMeDomine, Twf and (name removed by moderator)

 

[TheLittleLady]

Neither attending Mass NOR receiving ashes are obligatory.

 

[njlisa]

Lots of people, because of diabetes, hypoglycemia, medications, other medical issues, cannot fast. What would be their substitute for fasting?

 

[Thom18]

Lots of people, because of diabetes, hypoglycemia, medications, other medical issues, cannot fast. What would be their substitute for fasting?

They can work this out with their pastor. If Lent snuck up on you (like it did me), they can eat as much as they need to avoid health complications but should perform a physical or spiritual act of mercy.