Why non-practicing Catholics attend Ash Wednesday?

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Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation. Why then do so many non-practicing
Catholics attend church on that day? I can think of three possible reasons:
  1. Unlike holy communion, one not need be in a state of grace to receive ashes.
  2. Convenience. It’s only once a year.
  3. To still feel a connection to the Church if one does not attend mass
I still think it’s better to receive ashes than not to
 
I think a number of non-practicing Catholics don’t know that Ash Wednesday is not a holy day.
 
I think many think it is a Holy Day of Obligation. Also, many still participate in fasting during Lent, and Ash Wednesday helps start off the season.
 
marty1818 said:
I think a number of non-practicing Catholics don’t know that Ash Wednesday is not a holy day.
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Why would a “non-practicing” Catholic care about whether or not Ash Wednesday is a Holy day of obligation when they don’t even recognize/care that every Sunday is a day of obligation?

J.M.J.
 
Maybe, it is a sign of repentance (turning toward God) that they feel called to and will hopefully continue. Let’s always welcome the prodigal son! :crossrc:
 
**Inactive Catholic believe that Ash Wenesday is one day they need to attend Mass - along with Christmas and Easter - in order to be a Catholic.

I have seen this teaching faith formation in the parish for many years.**
 
Non-Catholics are also allowed to receive ashes. I’m not sure what my point is… except, please, let’s pray for Christian unity and repentance.
 
grasscutter said:
Non-Catholics are also allowed to receive ashes. I’m not sure what my point is… except, please, let’s pray for Christian unity and repentance.
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Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.
 
grasscutter said:
Non-Catholics are also allowed to receive ashes. I’m not sure what my point is… except, please, let’s pray for Christian unity and repentance.
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The question was geared towards non-practicing Catholics - not non-Catholics.
 
Before I returned to the Church, I too thought that Ash Wednesday was a day of obligation and that you didnt have to go church every Sunday. Just days of obligation:shrug:
 
Fan_of_Trent said:
Why would a “non-practicing” Catholic care about whether or not Ash Wednesday is a Holy day of obligation when they don’t even recognize/care that every Sunday is a day of obligation?

J.M.J.
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Maybe because for many it’s a time of renewal in the Church: you fast before the feast, and in this case, a celebration and reminder of Easter
 
Havard said:
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.
Click to expand...
Thank you.

And to the OP, I understand that this was directed at lapsed Catholics. However, I had read that at the Ash Wednesday, directly after 9-11, many people of all faiths lined up at a Catholic Church nearby on Ash Wednesday. I thought that it was awesome that so many people would come together in poverty of spirit and seek God. May we always continue to do so. And may we be so occupied with our own need for salvation that we don’t notice or ponder on another’s. :byzsoc:
 
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