And to get the ash cross put on your forehead? If I'm not Catholic, but just an ordinairy Christian, can I pop into a Catholic Church that day, and take part in that?
2007-12-09 01:01:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
mommanUK, I've seen pictures of Bill Clinton taking communion, and he claimed to be a Baptist... was slick willie really an under cover Catholic?
2007-12-09 01:06:01 · update #1
Roman Catholics are not the only ones who do ashes on Ash Wednesday. Here in the states the Episcopalian churches do, as do some Lutheran churches.
As far as communion goes, many churches practice communion, so Bill Clinton was probably at a different denomination. The rules of the Roman Catholic church are the sacraments are only for baptized members of the church. Sacramentals, which are things like using holy water, ashes and other blessed religious objects can be used by anyone.
2007-12-09 01:11:30 · answer #1 · answered by in a handbasket 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, you do not have to be Catholic to go to a Catholic church and receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Ashes are not a sacrament, but a sacramental.
A sacramental is any action or object that is used in the worship of God.
Ash Wednesday services usually include holy Communion. Holy Communion is a sacrament and non-Catholics should refrain from participating in Catholic sacraments.
2007-12-09 01:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Catholic means 'universal'. I've no idea what an 'ordinary' Christian is.
I'm not very sure what a Christian is, since Jesus preached tolerance, forgiveness and peace.
Recently two Heads of state who openly profess to be 'Christians' embarked on two wars against non-Christians which have resulted in the torturing, illegal imprisonment, maiming and killing of thousands of innocent people.
As a non-Roman Catholic, you cannot take Mass in a Roman Catholic Church. However, as an Anglo Catholic or Roman Catholic, you can take mass in an Orthodox Church.
2007-12-09 01:20:04 · answer #3 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, anyone can have the ashes put on their forehead. They symbolize the sinner's sorrow for sin and willingness to do penance.
The only part of the Mass which would be for practicing Catholics only is the taking of Holy Communion.
Pax Vobiscum+
2007-12-09 01:05:18 · answer #4 · answered by Veritas 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You are welcome to attend Catholic Masses anytime, including Ash Wednesday. The only thing is that you cannot receive Holy Communion, because you are non-Catholic - but you still receive the ash-cross on your forehead.
2007-12-10 06:28:00 · answer #5 · answered by Daver 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Everyone is invited to all Catholic Masses including those on Ash Wednesday.
Yes, you can go up to receive ashes on your forhead.
With love in Christ.
2007-12-09 17:11:35 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're quite welcome! The only restriction is that you can't take communion.
Edit: There are always people who make mistakes, including priests. I'm sure he got a talking to from the Bishop! Or it may be that some priests interpret Vatican II as allowing non-Catholics to take communion.
2007-12-09 01:05:12 · answer #7 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
As for the Mass part (receiving Communion) - YES! You do need to be Catholic
But to come forward and get your ashes: NO! Please do come. Ashes are a "sacramental" and not a "Sacrament" and they are available to all.
2007-12-09 01:13:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can one time I went with my Parents when I was younger I only went B/C I wanted ash on my forehead LOL!!!
2007-12-09 01:04:45 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i go to a lutheran church and they do that there
2007-12-09 01:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by iluvthejonasbrosxox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋