Taking off the Ashes?

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4givemeasinner

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I took off my ashes today after the Morning Mass. Did I do something wrong? What are the rules (if any) on removing the ashes?

:signofcross:

:highprayer:
 
I just let mine wear off. I don’t think it really matters unless the Church says something about it. God bless.
 
Though various priests, bishops, theologians, etc. have encouraged leaving them on as a witness to Christian conversion and repentance, to my knowledge, there is no rule requiring you to do so.

Remember that Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation and that no one is even required to receive the ashes in the first place.

Peace,
 
There is no rule. There is nothing wrong with wearing the ashes all day, and there is nothing wrong with taking them off.
 
4givemeasinner said:
I took off my ashes today after the Morning Mass. Did I do something wrong? What are the rules (if any) on removing the ashes?

:signofcross:

:highprayer:
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I suppose that for someone who was very concerned about the ashes still being there after some time and you having to remove them (eventually) I’d recommend going into your garden and rinsing them off with fresh water so that it can flow into the soil? That’s where the dispense of holy water is directed, onto soil, if I recall accurately.
 
Zundrah said:
I suppose that for someone who was very concerned about the ashes still being there after some time and you having to remove them (eventually) I’d recommend going into your garden and rinsing them off with fresh water so that it can flow into the soil? That’s where the dispense of holy water is directed, onto soil, if I recall accurately.
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I had a job interview after Mass and I didn’t think it appropo to have the ashes on during the interview.🤷
 
Zundrah said:
I suppose that for someone who was very concerned about the ashes still being there after some time and you having to remove them (eventually) I’d recommend going into your garden and rinsing them off with fresh water so that it can flow into the soil? That’s where the dispense of holy water is directed, onto soil, if I recall accurately.
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No. Just wash them off with soap and water when you wash your face. That is all that is required. They can go down the drain as usual.
 
I’ve often wondered what to do if I was told to take off my ashes at work. The school I work is literally across the street from the Anti-Defamation League, which puts undue stress on my boss about keeping the building religously neutral. It’s funny because our union president is what you’d call a lapsed Catholic. She goes to church once a year to get ashes put on and dare our boss to say anything about it. Given that having ashes isn’t really an obligation, I don’t know that I’m willing to go to that extent and fight a battle over it, however, I wonder every year Ash Wednesday if this is going to be the year.
 
Allegra said:
I’ve often wondered what to do if I was told to take off my ashes at work. The school I work is literally across the street from the Anti-Defamation League, which puts undue stress on my boss about keeping the building religously neutral. It’s funny because our union president is what you’d call a lapsed Catholic. She goes to church once a year to get ashes put on and dare our boss to say anything about it. Given that having ashes isn’t really an obligation, I don’t know that I’m willing to go to that extent and fight a battle over it, however, I wonder every year Ash Wednesday if this is going to be the year.
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That could create an awkward moment. Do you have a right to keep it on even if your manager instructs you to wipe the ashes away?
 
4givemeasinner said:
I took off my ashes today after the Morning Mass. Did I do something wrong? What are the rules (if any) on removing the ashes?

:signofcross:

:highprayer:
Click to expand...
No, there’s nothing wrong with that although most people let them wear off. I accidentally wiped mine off today, too.
 
Zundrah said:
That could create an awkward moment. Do you have a right to keep it on even if your manager instructs you to wipe the ashes away?
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I have the right, yes. Am I willing to file a grievance? I don’t know. Am I willing to go to court over it? Probably not in this case.
 
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