Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday

 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.    Today is a day of Fast and Abstinence it is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation so don’t make yourself crazy trying to run around to “get ashes”.   That is not the important thing to do today…..Lent is a good time to set things right with God and our fellow man.  

 

In my diocese, we’re not supposed to give ashes to the faithful by smearing them in the forehead this year, we’re supposed to sprinkle ashes on the top of everyone’s head without direct contact.   So don’t be surprised if your Ash Wednesday is not what you expect in the ash department. 

 

More importantly, If you haven’t been to confession in a while, give it a try…there is no better time than Lent to do this.   Don’t be afraid.  It is a healing experience.  In reconciliation, don’t forget purification in the form of Church Indulgences.  

 

Remember gang, Fast and Abstinence on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday:

 

1) No meat.  (You may eat fish, cheese and beans).  This is abstinence, The Church requires its members to abstain from eating meat on Fridays as an act of penitence.  During Lent, this law applies to Catholics even in the U.S.       This law applies to all Catholics who are over the age of 14.

 

2) I full meal and two smaller snacks/collations if you need them for strength.  This is how Catholics Fast.  The Bishops in the United States have defined the minimum requirement of the fast for U.S. Catholics to be one full (but not excessive) meal plus other food not to exceed the full meal which may be taken in part at breakfast, noon or evening, depending on when one decides to take the “one full meal”. This law applies to Catholics between the age of 18 and 59.