How long is one required to wear the ashes?

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since wearing of the ashes is not a sacrament, would it be somehow inappropriate to wash one’s face or wiped off the ashes after having left the service?

I may receive my ashes during lunch. So when I return to work, the ashes would definately draw attention to myself (ie, in the elevator, during a meeting, etc). Not that I would mind the curious glances I would receive, I would mind if others thought I was trying to take it as an opportunity to rub my holiness in their faces (many of my co-workers are atheists)
 
Personally, I always wash them off as soon as I get home.

It seems to me to be contrary to the Gospel to continue wearing them - didn’t Jesus say that we weren’t to make a show of fasting?

I can see it might have been different in the Middle Ages when a whole village would be wearing them, and so an individual wouldn’t stand out, and also seeing them on someone else would be a useful reminder of what the day was.

I’ve never seen it written down that we should wear them all day, anyway.
 
On the other hand, one can choose to continue wearing them - it’s certainly a great witness to others, who tend to get curious about why we do it, what it means, etc.

Yes, you might get misunderstood, but then Jesus was also misunderstood. It comes with the territory, sadly.
 
It is sad that so many people grow up in areas where Catholicism is not either a majority or significant majority. Here in south Louisiana, none of our protestant co-workers or people on the street blink an eye at ashes. When I worked downtown, I would attend the noon Mass at the cathedral and walk immediately back to the office. No one batted an eye nor did they bat an eye at those who went to Mass earlier in the day. The ashes got washed off when I bathed - usually early Thursday morning before I went in to work.

Yes, there is a valid argument to repentance in secret but there is an equally valid argument that ashes are a sign of testimony to the Faith.
 
In my area we see more people with ashes than without. I always thought it was funny that the gospel for today says to wash your face and not to walk around looking like you are fasting.
 
brotherhrolf said:
Yes, there is a valid argument to repentance in secret but there is an equally valid argument that ashes are a sign of testimony to the Faith.
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Amen. Is it really so significantly different in that regard to wearing a cross or crucifix around one’s neck, or making the Sign of the Cross in prayer or before eating? Can’t imagine anyone looking too far askance if you did any of those things. 🤷
 
blaskoman said:
since wearing of the ashes is not a sacrament, would it be somehow inappropriate to wash one’s face or wiped off the ashes after having left the service?

I may receive my ashes during lunch. So when I return to work, the ashes would definately draw attention to myself (ie, in the elevator, during a meeting, etc). Not that I would mind the curious glances I would receive, I would mind if others thought I was trying to take it as an opportunity to rub my holiness in their faces (many of my co-workers are atheists)
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I heard you’re suppose to wear it the whole day as it is a sign of humility
 
Last year, I received them in the morning and wore them all day through work. I must have received at least 6-7 comments about them, and countless more stares. Most of the comments were to the tune of “Is it Ash Wednesday already, is that today?”. No one was disparaging and most knew what they meant. It was a slightly uncomfortable but pretty painless way of making people think about our faith. This year we are going tonight because my wife wanted to go with me but the children weren’t awake this morning.

It is interesting from a Biblical perspective because of the verses from Matthew 6 that many have referenced. Contrasting with this, the Bible is full of examples of people putting ashes on themselves as part of a time of penance:

Tamar (2 Samuel 13:19)
The Israelistes (Judith 4:15, 7:4)
Judith (Judith 9:1)
Mardochai (Ester 4:1)
Ester (Ester 14:1)
Job (Job 16:16, Job 42:6)
Isiah (Isiah 58:5)
The mourners (Ezekiel 27:30)
Daniel (Daniel 9:3)
The Ninevite king (Jonah 3:6)
The Maccabean Army (1 Maccabes 3:47, 4:39)

I’m sure there are more, I just did a very quick search (I thought King David did also, but I couldn’t find a verse). These people were all pretty public about their wearing of ashes and penance as well. In this context, Jesus seems to placing the emphasis on the fact that we shouldn’t be fasting in public for the recognition or praise of others, not that we shouldn’t be fasting in public.

To the OP’s question, I don’t think there’s a requirement. I don’t believe there’s even a requirement to receive them, as it’s not a holy day of obligation. Growing up, we always left them on until the next morning and I still do with my family today.
 
“Here in south Louisiana,” says brotherrolf

Lucky you, here in North Louisiana it “sucks” to put it mildly. My son has to listen to Catholic “slams” all the time from the self righteous, prideful people up here that are so sure their denomination is the “right” one. Today he will just not go to school as it is a Holy Day - he had enough “slams” yesterday about it. However, it is TOTALLY fine to miss school for Mardi Gras 🤷:confused:. Up here it is a constant lesson on “how to suffer for the faith”, not that it compares to what the saints went through in the past.
 
nahh its not wrong practicaly speaking one who washes his/her ash on his forehead does not mean he commit a sin or a mistake or a wrong act. its just a symbol 🙂 so repent and be blessed as we say
 
I think covering yourself in ashes is a sign of humility and repentance. In the spirit of this, I think it is more appropriate to leave them on until they wear off naturally. Otherwise it’s like “I am dust and ashes! I repent! Okay, I’m done now, wash it off.” To be fair though, I think its the repentance of the heart that Christ really sees and desires.

That’s just my point of view. They are blessed, so its nice to keep them with you.

That being said, I am kind of a shy person, so I go to the evening service to avoid more awkward moments or perceptions of “showing off” my holiness. 🙂

Being covered in ashes is kind of like the opposite of “showing off” though…histortcally, it was like rubbing dirt on your face to show how worthless you are.
 
I saw our VP Joe Biden on CNN this morning with ashes on his head and wanted to vomit. If later today I see Speaker Pelosi with ashes I will not be able to stave off the vomit this time. Praying for both of them…
 
Can I receive the ashes even though I won’t be confirmed until Easter vigil?
 
[edited]

Well, you don’t have to be in a state of grace, or even Catholic to wear ashes. [edited]

God Bless
 
Justin_Mee said:
Can I receive the ashes even though I won’t be confirmed until Easter vigil?
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Yes.

I am currently in RCIA and we are attending the evening mass together as a group and we will all receive ashes (canidates and catechumens). I was also told last year by my priest that any baptized Christian may receive ashses (I did not receive them as I am not baptized).
 
Since my parish is having its weekly Scripture Study after this evening’s Mass - I assume I’ll look to see if Father and everyone else is still wearing their ashes and consider following suit. 😉
Actually even if everyone else washes between Mass and Study, I very likely won’t unless told to - which I can’t see anyone telling me to.
I’m a sinner and today is when it shows openly. I’m not proud of my sin, I am aware and repentant of it.
 
I am also currently in the RCIA program. I’ve been told that the traditions in the Lenten period were actually created for us (“us” being people who are preparing to join the Church). Although it is a good idea/encouraged practice for those who are already Catholic to observe Lenten traditions, its actual purpose is for those who are yet to be full members as a means of preparing for their new dedication as a Catholic.

So yes, by all means, receive the ashes today!
 
Just to be perfectly clear, ashes are completely optional (no one** must **receive them, or wear them for any minimum period) and open to all (anyone can receive them).

Ashes are a sacramental, not a Sacrament. Sacraments are only open to Catholics (and Orthodox to some extent), with the exception of baptism, of course.

Sacramentals (Rosaries, Holy Water, Ashes, etc.) are to help us grow in holiness, and are open to all.
 
As everyone knows, today is Ash Wed. Today in mass today’s reading was about when Jesus said to his desiples not to fast openly or look tired or something like that to make a show about their faith but to do it privetly.

My question is this, the ash that the priest spreads on your forhead, should i leave it to desplay my faith? or should i wash it off?
 
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