Receiving non-Catholic ashes

[Gorgias]

So let’s see:Trinitarian Protestant Baptisms are valid, but their ashes are fake. Interesting.

Well… who has the authority to say that non-Catholic Christian baptisms are valid, after all?

And, I wouldn’t say “fake”; I’d just say that they “aren’t blessed.” I mean… anybody can put a smudge on their forehead, and mean anything (or nothing) by it.

There are a million other liturgical traditions the Catholics have that the Protestants don’t touch, but if they saw the tradition filling up churches, you bet they would see if they could do something similar.

Yep. Another good example is the blessing of pets on St Francis’ day. On one hand, everything Catholic after the ecumenical councils is wrong (and praying to saints is sinful), but performing a blessing of pets in the name of St Francis? Oh, that’s ok.

It’s called marketing, and most Protestant ministers are better at it/ more focused on it than Catholic priests.

Yep!

I highly doubt protestants are trying to steal catholic ideas/traditions. Considering we are losing numbers at a fast rate it doesn’t really seem logical.

I wouldn’t say ‘steal’.

On the other hand, given that there are Catholics who are looking for other faith traditions, it does make sense to appropriate Catholic traditions in order to give these folks a sense of familiarity and belongingness. ‘Marketing’, indeed!

I am thinking of the Anglo-Catholic wing of the Church of England, which has had a tendency to be ‘more Catholic than the Catholics’.

Good point…!

Probably just charcoal, although very sincere charcoal.

Great line!

 

[blackforest]

It’s called marketing, and most Protestant ministers are better at it/ more focused on it than Catholic priests.

I find this uncharitably speculative and downright cynical. I just got out of a small, reverent Ash Wednesday service at the Episcopal Church and can guarantee that it was an authentic endeavor, not a marketing gimmick.

Londoner, as you note the Episcopal (and Anglican, as we now have Anglican churches in USA that are not affiliated with Episcopal from what I’ve been told) do hand out ashes now,

I was born in the 70s and brought of Anglican. Ash Wednesday was the norm, along with my adolescent inhibitions about ashes on my forehead all day.

 

[MaryFF]

Lutherans are the closest in Theology to Catholicism. I don’t find it odd. In fact, I was surprised in my studies to learn Martin Luther had a huge devotion to Mary! Catholics don’t have a corner on faith or salvation.

 

[on_the_hill]

I probably shouldn’t mention that there are Protestant churches around here that offer drive-thru ashes.

 

[Joe_5859]

Unblessed ashes are still a sign of penitence. But they are not a sacramental.

This is the whole distinction in a nutshell.

So, yes, a Catholic could receive ashes at a Protestant service. It’s not like Communion where it would not be allowed. But the ashes would not be a sacramental.

 

[CelticWarlord]

Lent was observed and taken seriously as a time for spiritual reflection, prayer and sacrifice.

Yes to this. Most of my Protestant friends observe Lent.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

I probably shouldn’t mention that there are Protestant churches around here that offer drive-thru ashes.

In that case, I won’t mention that we have Catholic parishes that do that, too.

 

[on_the_hill]

If that’s the case, then I’m o.k. with it.

I have a vague recollection that, as a child, my mom would take us for ashes but there was no Mass with it. We’d just go to the church (St. James, Wilkinsburg, PA) during the time that ashes were being distributed.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

We have parish staff distributing ashes throughout the day whenever someone pops into the office. There’s no requirement for them to attend a Mass or service (even though several are offered).

 

[on_the_hill]

I hope not to cause a scandal, but I’d more likely go for ashes if we did that around here.