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JimR-OCDS
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Jim
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Elizium23
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And they violated rubrics because Pope Francis?
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JimR-OCDS
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ComplineSanFran
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Ashes to Go has been happening for almost a decade. How is it a violation? I’m curious.
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WJeffrey
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I am a newly returned Catholic, so I admit my ignorance. This certainly sounds like a wonderful thing. It is beautiful to see our wonderful faith shared in such a positive public way. It is fantastic to see Catholics proudly showing their faith for the world to see.
This story warms my heart. If my heart is warmed, it probably means that this is breaking some Church law that will strike me today as being crazy. Of course, in a month, as I become more educated, it will suddenly make sense.
More is revealed when the student is ready.
In the meantime, I wish I was at Park Street to see it.
This story warms my heart. If my heart is warmed, it probably means that this is breaking some Church law that will strike me today as being crazy. Of course, in a month, as I become more educated, it will suddenly make sense.
More is revealed when the student is ready.
In the meantime, I wish I was at Park Street to see it.
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Elizium23
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The ones which regulate how to bless and distribute ashes within the context of a liturgy in a church.
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kkollwitz
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People like the intimate, blunt touch of the priest’s thumb against their foreheads, and being marked by the touch. It gets right to the fundamental wisdom of sacraments.
Of course it’s not a sacrament. And as a symbol of repentance you could could mark your own forehead with a cross of ashes. But that would be skipping the bit where someone with Jesus’ authority reminds you of your sinfulness and mortality; and you meekly accept that gentle chastisement. Without necessarily understanding the fullness of the ritual, I think that’s the main reason so many non-Cats want to receive ashes.
Of course it’s not a sacrament. And as a symbol of repentance you could could mark your own forehead with a cross of ashes. But that would be skipping the bit where someone with Jesus’ authority reminds you of your sinfulness and mortality; and you meekly accept that gentle chastisement. Without necessarily understanding the fullness of the ritual, I think that’s the main reason so many non-Cats want to receive ashes.
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ComplineSanFran
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Ashes to Go is an International movement. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are probably 15 or 20 locations where ashes are distributed. I have friends in the UK who are out on the streets of numerous cities. Clergy as well as laity are distributing the ashes to people. There is a lovely picture of the Chaplain at Atlanta airport who is doing it there too (found it and will attach). Every year, more and more are out on the streets and public thoroughfares.
For those who are uncomfortable with people being ‘ashed’ outside a church sanctuary, think of all the years that chaplains have been doing this for people in hospitals and prisons and nursing homes. We go to where the people are. It’s wonderful!
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irenaeus1
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Well, I suppose if there is no time to pray and repent,… or are the people even told what the ashes symbolize?
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WJeffrey
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I agree. The best way to evangelize is to show people the beauty of Catholicism and harmony among Catholics. In this crazy world, many people desire what God and the Church offer. Showing it to them without preaching is often the best way to plant a seed for the future.
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ComplineSanFran
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I believe that God can use this greatly, regardless of the recipient’s intention to pray and repent. Being marked with a cross throughout the day? Think how God could work a purpose in all those people.
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MT1926
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Was at the hospital all day for dad’s surgery, so couldn’t get to mass. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were having a 10 minute prayer service and ashes in the chapel at 12:00 and 2:30. Went down with my mother and brother at 11:45 with the other 10 people in the hospital. By noon we were packed n their like sardines with people lined up down the hallways. Was that ever a good feeling to see such a godly presence on the day my dad had surgery. Around 3:00 I heard an announcement on the speaker if anyone didn’t get a chance to goto the chapel they were bringing the ashes to all of the waiting rooms.
Seeing the nurses walking around with ashes on their foreheads was probably the best experience we ever had in a hospital.
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ComplineSanFran
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Yes! And realize, yes? that Ashes to Go is ecumenical. There are Anglicans and Lutherans and Presbyterians and MCC - and on and on - standing on the street corners with the ashes. And no one asks the recipient, ‘Are you Catholic? Are you Baptist?’ If you want ashes, you get them.
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ComplineSanFran
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Wonderful story! And how is your father after his surgery?
Was at the hospital all day for dad’s surgery, so couldn’t get to mass. I was pleasantly surprised to find out they were having a 10 minute prayer service and ashes in the chapel at 12:00 and 2:30. Went down with my mother and brother at 11:45 with the other 10 people in the hospital. By noon we were packed n their like sardines with people lined up down the hallways. Was that ever a good feeling to see such a godly presence on the day my dad had surgery. Around 3:00 I heard an announcement on the speaker if anyone didn’t get a chance to goto the chapel they were bringing the ashes to all of the waiting rooms.
Seeing the nurses walking around with ashes on their foreheads was probably the best experience we ever had in a hospital.
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MT1926
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Just got a text, said he had a good night and only had to push his morphine pump twice in 10 hours.
Thank you for asking.
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zz912
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Totally disagree with this. It’s one thing to bring ashes to those who can’t make it to church. It’s entirely another thing to bring ashes to those who just can’t be bothered with going for Ash Wednesday mass.
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JimR-OCDS
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How do you know they are not praying and repenting as they receive the ashes ?
FYI, the actual meaning of the word, “repent,” is to “change the mind.”
If people feel Jesus call to repent and receive the ashes, who are we to say they are wrong ?
Jim
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dans0622
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It is not something I’d take part in (for one thing, I’m not sure how it fits into any approved ritual) but there are worse things going on these days…
Dan
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clem456
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It’s not one of The Sacraments but it is sacramental.
The spreading of ashes and the words the priest says are signs of a much deeper reality.
Good for this priest taking the mission to the streets.
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WJeffrey
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Priests get entirely too much negative publicity. It is nice to see them doing something positive like this in the public view. It speaks well for the Church.
Boston was at the very heart of the abuse scandal, and many people do not view Priests favorably. I lived in Boston, and I know people who were abused. (or that is at least what they alleged.) This is an affirmative statement that the Priests are back to Shepard the flock. They are once again leaders of the community.
Park Street station is one of the busiest T stops, and it is in the heart of downtown Boston. Learning about this makes me even more proud to be a Catholic.
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