Wearing Ashes to Class

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Hi all. I’m a law student debating wearing ashes to class next Wednesday. I always went to Mass first thing in the morning when I was in college and wore them all day. However, it was a Catholic college and I was never the only one in the class wearing them. Anyone have any experience with this or advice? Thanks!
 
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Yes. Some of our customers wear their ashes.

On the Ukrainian Greek Catholic calendar, we start the Great Fast (Lent) on Clean Monday - 2 days before Ash/Pure Wednesday. And we don’t get ashes either - that’s strictly RC.
 
This will be a first experience for me too in a new workplace and I also have class that night. Be proud of your ashes!! I’ve gotten in the habit of wearing crucifixes often and recently bought a saint shirt that may get lots of attention. Keep your eyes on Jesus and give no thought to the storm
 
I go in the morning and wear the ashes in public and dont feel ashamed about wearing them to work or in public. Its sort of a visual sign of my faith and humility that i am a sinner in need of christs mercy. When and if people mock me about it I think of Jesus on the way to his crucifixion and how he suffered.
 
I see no reason why you shouldn’t wear ashes to class. In our day and age it can be awkward at times to show such a visible sign of the faith, but let your faith be the reason you wear them. You never know, someone might be in a similar situation, but seeing you wearing the ashes might give them the confidence to do the same.
 
Went to a public University. Saw plenty of ashes on students and staff.

Go for it. Be prepared to explain when people ask why your forehead is dirty.
 
Let me encourage you to bear witness to your faith. For almost 5 years, due to a stem cell transplant, I have looked like a freak wearing face mask and gloves to avoid infection. Maybe I was just ahead of the curve, the way things are looking with the Corona virus. I may have to mask and glove up for the rest of my life.

But, ashes for one day? Piece a’ cake.
 
I’m in USA and in all the cities I’ve lived in, it’s never been a problem to wear ashes to college classes, to work, or anyplace else. I also don’t remember ever being the only person wearing them. I never got any flak for it in my life.

Nowadays, many non-Catholics also wear ashes as well. That didn’t used to be the case but in about the last 10 years it’s become common for many different Protestant denominations, even some Evangelicals, to give out ashes.
 
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If anyone says anything, it’s your opportunity to evangelize. If anyone gives you a funny look and says nothing, they may have an aha moment later when they learn.

I wore them to plenty of college classes where I’d get the occasional polite whisper, “you’ve got something on you.” Many of them came from such small towns that there was no Catholic presence there.

Then as a public school teacher I ended up explaining it a lot. I thought my brief explanation was just about covering it until one year when a kid asked me, “but whose ashes are they?” I wondered how many kids thought it was human remains. So I adjusted my explanation after that.
 
Wear them loud and proud! Seriously, I understand the hesitation, especially on American college campuses. Even if you are the only one, there will be those who see it, and then are envious that you have the strength to publicly display your faith (like they may have wanted to, but lacked that courage). I was one of those afraid and envious ones. I wished I’d been more public at those times. I’d think in advance of a sentence that you can give if you are asked. It is the height of wisdom to humble yourself before an all knowing, all loving God.

You may also find a new friend who also values their faith.
 
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Although not Catholic myself, I encourage you to wear the ashes unashamedly. One of my favorite afternoon tv shows, Around the Horn, is a sports program with a variety of panelists from day to day who offer opinions on the current goings on in the world of sport. The host since 2004, Tony Reali, has the ashes on his forehead every year at this time and, though he does not draw attention to them, displays them for the whole world to see via ESPN. A most admirable fellow, I’ve also heard him give credit to the religious brothers who taught him growing up.
 
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Rhubarb said:
Be prepared to explain when people ask why your forehead is dirty.
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An actual cross shape instead of what commonly (at least in my experience) turns out to be an amorphous smudge would help this greatly. Just my two cents.
 
Please do wear ashes to class on Ash Wednesday and bear witness to your faith.

I have one experience of someone saying to me do you know you have a dirty mark on your head. I tried to explain but left the person puzzled. So do bear witness in our secular world.
 
I flew yesterday. I felt weird without a mask as everyone else had one!
 
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