ASH WEDNESDAY: CATECHESIS
By Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale – Mzuzu Diocese, MALAWI)
INTRODUCTION
“Fr. Petros, please shade more light on Ash Wednesday, how important is this day to a Christian?” – Emmanuel (Mzuzu University, MALAWI).
RESPONSE
Dear Emmanuel, over forty passages in the Bible associate ashes with mourning and grief. In Old Testament times people used ashes as a sign of repentance. They would sit in ashes, roll around in them, sprinkle them upon their heads, or even mingle them with their food and drink. They did this as an outward sign of their inward posture of repentance (Daniel 9:3-6).
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DESCRIPTIVE DEFINITION
Ash Wednesday comes from the fact that a particular rite is always celebrated on this Wednesday in which the faithful have ashes put on their foreheads. These are made from the Olive branches or branches of other trees that were blessed the previous year on Passion Sunday. It is the day that Lent begins, the beginning of the forty days of penance (Mt. 4:1-11).
SYMBOLISM OF ASHES
The act of putting on ashes symbolizes:
®️ Fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God (Jonah 3:5-6).
®️ The attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent (Mt 3:5-6).
®️ Conversion and renew of Easter commitment (Esther 4:1, Job 42:6)
METHOD OF APPLYING ASHES
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states that: after the homily, the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water. Then the priest places ashes on the head of all those present who come to him, and says to each one: “Repent, and believe the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The blessing and distribution of ashes may also take place outside Mass.
ONLY PRIESTS?
The Book of Blessings no 1659 states: This rite may be celebrated by a priest or deacon who may be assisted by lay ministers in the distribution of ashes. The blessing of the ashes, however, is reserved to a priest or deacon.
IS IT APPROPRIATE TO SHARE PICTURES OF YOUR ASHES ON ASH WEDNESDAY?
Posting a picture of your ashes is not a sin, particularly when done in the spirit of the New Evangelization. There is nothing wrong with showing solidarity with other Catholics or using the occasion to educate others about Ash Wednesday. On the other hand, ashes are not about getting likes and shares, be careful!
HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE THE ASHES ON?
There is no rule about this. It is a matter of personal decision based on the individual’s own inclinations and circumstances. The ashes can be left on until they wear off naturally or they can be washed off or wiped off when the individual chooses.
CONCLUSION
Dear Emmanuel, Ash Wednesday is a penitential day and it (together with Good Friday) is one of two days of the year on which fasting and abstinence are required. Wishing you a fruitful Lenten Season!
Receive my priestly blessings from St. Cecilia Catholic Parish (Mpherembe)
Rev. Fr. Petros Mwale (Mzuzu Diocese – MALAWI: Feedback WhatsApp only +265 884 150 185)
SOURCES
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 7th edition, Washington DC: USCCB Publishing, 2010.
Book of Blessings, International Commission on English in Liturgy, a joint Commission of Catholic Bishop’s Conferences. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1989
Catholic Doctrines 