Do you get ashes on Ash Wednesday?

[So the Heroes Fall]

No. I don't really recognize the day.

[memphis]

It will be amusing to see who is ashy at tomorrow's debates.

[So the Heroes Fall]

It will be amusing to see who is ashy at tomorrow's debates.

I'd be really REALLY shocked if Santorum isn't.

[True Federalist]

I doubt any of them will show signs of them.  Putting on the television makeup will do away with them unless one of them insists on their being untouched, and I doubt they will.  However, I do expect Santorum and Gingrich will both make photo ops early in the day of being ashed.  Paul might be ashed, but I doubt he would make a photo op of it.  Romney won't be ashed.

[So the Heroes Fall]

Isn't Paul a Baptist or something? I don't think they recognize Ash Wednesday.

[asexual trans victimologist]

I intend to.

I expect Santorum to, as was said, at least have some ashy photo op during the day. Probably Gingrich too.

[Dr. Cynic]

I wouldn't have ever wanted someone to put ashes on me.

[So the Heroes Fall]

The reason I don't is because Ash Wednesday is simply the introduction to Lent, which (at least if recognized the way it typically is) is the epitome of "legalism" which in the hipster Christianity tradition is almost treated the single worst sin anyone can possibly commit.

[True Federalist]

Isn't Paul a Baptist or something? I don't think they recognize Ash Wednesday.

He was raised Lutheran and some Baptists do recognize Ash Wednesday, so it would be possible.  If he does, I expect he won't make a photo op out of it.

[asexual trans victimologist]

The reason I don't is because Ash Wednesday is simply the introduction to Lent, which (at least if recognized the way it typically is) is the epitome of "legalism" which in the hipster Christianity tradition is almost treated the single worst sin anyone can possibly commit.

Lenten fasting really isn't supposed to be legalistic, though I can understand how it would seem that way to people who aren't used to or fond of ascetic spirituality in general.

[So the Heroes Fall]

I was kind of joking there obviously, and it's not entirely true that Lent is entirely disregarded by all of these types of churches (see here and here for example), but the way fasting is promoted by the Catholic church and interpreted by a lot of people is pretty legalistic (the no meat on Fridays thing comes to mind). I think it's kind of sacrilege really to think something like giving up chocolate is comparable to the suffering of Christ or any type of worthy ritual. Now something like quitting smoking as mentioned in the second post is different.

[shua]

I have a few times, but my church group isn't doing an Ash Wednesday service, and this year I feel like it would be too depressing anyway.

[Free Palestine]

Wait...

People put ashes on themselves for Ash Wednesday? 

[oakvale]

Not since I got out of school.

[Governor Scott]

Not a Catholic.  But strangely there is a relatively high Catholic population in my town (I believe), yet I've never seen anyone partake in the tradition.  Not even my mom.

[TJ in Wisco]

I got ashes at 12:15 Mass and wore them until track practice at 5pm. I always feel sort of weird about wearing them normally wipe them off as soon as I can because we have the Gospel reading telling us we shouldn't let anyone know we're fasting or giving things up and then all walk out with black stuff on our foreheards. It always seemed like a tradition that goes against the point. But I was told I was supposed to so I did. I only saw like ten people I know anyway, all of whom already know I'm Catholic so I guess it doesn't matter.

[So the Heroes Fall]

I got ashes at 12:15 Mass and wore them until track practice at 5pm. I always feel sort of weird about wearing them normally wipe them off as soon as I can because we have the Gospel reading telling us we shouldn't let anyone know we're fasting or giving things up and then all walk out with black stuff on our foreheards. It always seemed like a tradition that goes against the point. But I was told I was supposed to so I did. I only saw like ten people I know anyway, all of whom already know I'm Catholic so I guess it doesn't matter.

That's why most Protestant churches that recognize Ash Wednesday advise that someone not wear the ashes all day.

I only saw one person with ashes today, an old woman at Target.

[asexual trans victimologist]

I got ashes at 12:15 Mass and wore them until track practice at 5pm. I always feel sort of weird about wearing them normally wipe them off as soon as I can because we have the Gospel reading telling us we shouldn't let anyone know we're fasting or giving things up and then all walk out with black stuff on our foreheards. It always seemed like a tradition that goes against the point. But I was told I was supposed to so I did. I only saw like ten people I know anyway, all of whom already know I'm Catholic so I guess it doesn't matter.

That's why most Protestant churches that recognize Ash Wednesday advise that someone not wear the ashes all day.

I only saw one person with ashes today, an old woman at Target.

We're supposed to let them wear off naturally over the course of the day at my church.

[Harry]

One time in high school I left them on all day, but I just being an attention whore.  I much prefer people to just wipe theirs off.

[Senator Napoleon]

I may have gotten cigarette ash on myself at some point but that is it. Clearly, I am not a religious and typically frown upon cultlike behavior. Even my Catholic family members decline to participate in these little sideshows.

[Diabolical Minds Think Alike]

No, partially because my mom didn't drag me to church.

[CathKhan]

No, partially because my mom didn't drag me to church.

Partially?

[ZuWo]

I am not at all familiar with this practice. In fact, I have never heard of it so my answer is obviously "no".

[So the Heroes Fall]

I am not at all familiar with this practice. In fact, I have never heard of it so my answer is obviously "no".

So no one in Switzerland does it, even Catholics?

[ZuWo]

I am not at all familiar with this practice. In fact, I have never heard of it so my answer is obviously "no".

So no one in Switzerland does it, even Catholics?

I've read up on it, and apparently the Swiss Catholic church does it, though I don't know how many Catholics really get their ashes here. Since I'm not very familiar with Catholic traditions I have never heard about it. Getting ashes is not a tradition in the Swiss Protestant Church, with which I am more familiar.