MERED: [Non-Catholics receiving ashes on] Ash Wednesday

[Jocko_VT]

Exactly the question I came to ask (and the answer I hoped to hear).

 

[CB_Catholic]

Ash Wednesday is becoming more and more popular among our non-Catholic brethren. Many already observed the tradition in their churches, but it seems it is catching on among many other denominations. It is an ancient Christian tradition, never totally abandoned by some Protestant bodies, but finally becoming more accepted by others as they begin to recover their ancient Christian traditions. We need to think of it as a Christian rather than exclusively Catholic tradition.

At my Catholic hospital ashes were distributed on the floors by the pastoral care department by both Catholics and Protestants, (most of us can’t get to the Mass or service) and I find it quite pleasing that we can all share in this Sacramental–we are all, after all, going to return to dust.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Ash Wednesday is becoming more and more popular among our non-Catholic brethren. Many already observed the tradition in their churches, but it seems it is catching on among many other denominations. It is an ancient Christian tradition, never totally abandoned by some Protestant bodies, but finally becoming more accepted by others as they begin to recover their ancient Christian traditions. We need to think of it as a Christian rather than exclusively Catholic tradition…

I saw a news report that this caused a shortage of ashes. The suppliers were not up to the increased demand.

 

[liturgyluver]

Ash Wednesday is becoming more and more popular among our non-Catholic brethren. Many already observed the tradition in their churches, but it seems it is catching on among many other denominations. It is an ancient Christian tradition, never totally abandoned by some Protestant bodies, but finally becoming more accepted by others as they begin to recover their ancient Christian traditions. We need to think of it as a Christian rather than exclusively Catholic tradition.

At my Catholic hospital ashes were distributed on the floors by the pastoral care department by both Catholics and Protestants, (most of us can’t get to the Mass or service) and I find it quite pleasing that we can all share in this Sacramental–we are all, after all, going to return to dust.

You are absolutely right. My own Parish didn’t even have any music for this great solemnity whilst a nearby Presbyterian Church (United Reformed) had a full choir and sung a mass setting by Padilla, and the Anglican church had a Palestina mass setting and Allegri’s Miserere Mei - both with Ashing. I wish they had suggested that we joined them for the Ashing after our Mass. In the event I had mass at my own parish in the morning and went to a solemn mass elsewhere.

 

[BtR]

I’m perfectly happy in my Orthodox parish, but Ash Wednesday is not a tradition in the East. I attended the local RC parish to receive ashes yesterday.