Is it boastful to wear ashes on Ash Wednesday?

[Mary_Cecilia]

Hi! In reading Matt.Chap 6, particularly, Chap.6:16. I am confused. I have always found it very meaningful to have the ashes on my forehead visible to all on Ash Wednesday. However, I interpret Matt.6 to mean That this may be boastful. What is the relationship of the ashes on the forehead and this passage regarding “disfiguring your face”, “annointing…not seen by men”, etc.? Thanks. Mary

 

[Leonie_Ambrose]

The following link should assist you in better understanding the Catholic Church’s teaching on wearing the Ash Wednesday ashes. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please [contact Catholic Answers (http://www.catholic.com/home/contact.asp) directly.

Recommended Reading:

• [How may I scripturally defend wearing my blessed ashes? (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=38875)

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