Why do they apply ashes to the forehead? How long must you wear the ashes? Do all Christians do this?
Love & Light
Sharon
One Planet = One People
2006-08-04 07:44:24 · 8 answers · asked by skippingsunday 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent during which we prepare ourselves to celebrate Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus. We receive the ashes on our forhead with the statement "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." During the season of Lent we then continue on to reflect on our own lives and how we can prepare our souls for our own deaths--to be better people.
2006-08-04 07:50:56 · answer #1 · answered by CatholicMOM 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Ash Wednesday is 40 days prior to the Easter Triduum. This is in remembrance of Christ's 40 days in the desert, where He fasted and was tempted by the devil but resisted him.
The ashes signify bodily mortality. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" is what the priest says as he applies the ashes to the forehead.
As a child I used to be "creeped out" by this -- but now it's a reminder to me that though our physical bodies die, it's not the end.
We can wear the ashes as long as we like. Typically, we just leave them there for the rest of the day and until we take our next shower/bath.
As far as I know, there's no rule against wiping them off a little later in the evening -- but in practice, nobody does this.
2006-08-04 09:44:30 · answer #2 · answered by Julia Encarnacion 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ash Wednesday is 40 days prior to the Easter Triduum. This is in remembrance of Christ's 40 days in the desert, where He fasted and was tempted by the devil but resisted him.
The ashes signify bodily mortality. "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" is what the priest says as he applies the ashes to the forehead.
As a child I used to be "creeped out" by this -- but now it's a reminder to me that though our physical bodies die, it's not the end.
We can wear the ashes as long as we like. Typically, we just leave them there for the rest of the day and until we take our next shower/bath.
As far as I know, there's no rule against wiping them off a little later in the evening -- but in practice, nobody does this.
2006-08-04 07:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a reminder of our humble beginnings, "from dust you were, to dust you shall return". The date signifies the beginning of the season of Lent, where, in anticipation of Easter, we make extra sacrifice, commemorating our Lord's 40 days in the desert.
2006-08-04 07:59:31 · answer #4 · answered by Shaun T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
CATHOLIC MOM has it right. I also believe they get the ashes from the palms on palm sunday. Don't quote me.
2006-08-04 07:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea, and I've been a Christian for 20 years. I don't do it. Its not an ordinance set forth in the Bible. Beats me.
2006-08-04 07:47:40 · answer #6 · answered by Aaron W 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Only in Catholicism.
2006-08-04 07:49:57 · answer #7 · answered by chris p 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is the beginning of Lent.
With a thumb.
No.
2006-08-04 07:47:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋