Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation in the Diocese of Palm Beach, FL?

[phil19034]

I’m visiting FL this week and just got out of Mass. During the announcements, the priest was talking about the Ash Wednesday Masses and stated that it was a Holy Day of Obligation.

I found it strange that he mentioned nothing about fasting, but was telling everyone that they needed to come to Mass.

Did the Bishop of Palm Beach or all the Bishops in Florida make Ash Wednesday an official Holy Day, or did this priest perhaps mis-speak?

Thanks & God Bless!

 

[Bonnie]

From ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/ASH_WED.htm:

Q: Is Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation, that is, a day on which we are required to go to Mass?

A: No, it is not a holy day of obligation. However, it is strongly advisable since it is fitting to mark the beginning of penitential season of Lent by going to Mass. The formal, corporate worship of God is a good way to get a good start to the season. Also, even though it is not a holy day of obligation, it is a day of fast and abstinence.

The priest just goofed. That happens.

 

[JimG]

Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation anywhere.

However, it is a day of mandatory fast and abstinence. Maybe that is what the priest meant.

 

[Kjnw4831]

Up until this year, I always thought that it was a Holy Day of Obligation. I am from Florida, but a different diocese. My point is that sometimes people are confused. I have told other people that is was a Holy Day of Obligation because that is what I thought! Even though it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, it is one of my favorites masses of the year and I will always go.

 

[Kielbasi]

Up until this year, I always thought that it was a Holy Day of Obligation. I am from Florida, but a different diocese. My point is that sometimes people are confused…

I saw a survey which indicated that AW is one of the biggest days for church attendance during the year- in the top 5.

You are not alone.

 

[peter26]

Yes, I’ve seen figures of 45% attendance in the US for Ash Wednesday which places it as the third highest attendance of the year, behind only Christmas and (just barely) Easter.

 

[Kielbasi]

Yes, I’ve seen figures of 45% attendance in the US for Ash Wednesday which places it as the third highest attendance of the year, behind only Christmas and (just barely) Easter.

Maybe because its a “giveaway” day, free ashes.

Palm Sunday is in the top 5 as well, where attendee get free palms.

 

[peter26]

Strange isn’t it, almost twice as many people will turn up to get free ashes, than will turn up each Sunday to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

 

[GoGoDiego]

Holy Days of Obligation are days of joy proper to the Lord’s Day. Ash Wednesday does not count as a holy day of obligation, since it has the character of repentance, not joy.