Feb. 14, 2024, is Ash Wednesday. It also just so happens to be Valentine’s Day. This rare occurrence happened three times in the last century – 1923, 1934 and 1945 – and will happen again in 2029 for the final time this century. On online forums, Christians are debating what to do. It’s also become Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Ash Wednesday’
The goodness of ash
Monday, February 12th, 2024
The home I grew up in had an open fire, with many a chilly winter’s night gathered around its warmth. There were two rituals attached to the winter fire. One was setting the fire with crushed newspaper, strips of kindling, and pieces of larger wood. Setting the fire so it lit readily and well was Read more
Ash Wednesday is coming – ready or not
Monday, February 12th, 2024
Soon we’ll be celebrating Ash Wednesday, when Christmas was just 7 weeks ago. The contrasts couldn’t be more startling. Christmas being so engagingly delightful with a cute newborn baby boy, animals, angels, stars and visitors with gifts. Now as we mark Ash Wednesday we are going to have imprinted on our forehead’s ash in the Read more
Comprehensive guide to Ash Wednesday ashes
Thursday, February 23rd, 2023A Catholic Guide to Ashes hilariously describes how Ash Wednesday ashes appear on foreheads after receiving them. Bill Donaghy, a senior lecturer for the Theology of the Body Institute, designed the graphic. He explained why he created it. “Humour is the ability to see through things, even the darkest or most sombre of things, to Read more
Ashes on Second Sunday of Lent!
Thursday, February 25th, 2021
Large congregations of Auckland Catholics are likely to finally receive their Ash Wednesday ashes on the second Sunday of Lent! Auckland diocese spokeswoman Dame Lyndsay Freer said many of Auckland’s 189,000 Catholics had not received the ashes as they usually would on Ash Wednesday. This was because of the Covid alert level 3 then alert Read more
Archbishop grants Catholics dispensation from fasting, abstinence on Ash Wednesday
Thursday, February 25th, 2021Due to the ongoing winter storm, San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller has granted Catholics a dispensation from fasting and abstinence on Ash Wednesday and says ashes will be allowed to be given at the end of masses through the weekend if parishioners don’t receive them Wednesday. Archdiocese officials said that many churches in the area Read more
In pictures: Ash Wednesday disrupted
Thursday, February 18th, 2021
Pope Francis celebrated Ash Wednesday in St. Peter’s Basilica, reminding faithful the Lenten period leading to Easter celebrations is a journey and “an exodus from slavery to freedom.” “Lent is a journey of return to God,” the pope said during his homily on Feb. 17, to the socially distanced faithful attending the Mass. “Right now, Read more
Global modification to Ash Wednesday ceremonies
Monday, February 15th, 2021
Churches around the world have modified Ash Wednesday ceremonies due to the impact of Covid-19. The holy day of prayer and fasting is one of the highest contact observances on the liturgical calendar. It takes place on 17 February this year. Many churches mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent with clergy marking Read more
Ash Wednesday on Sunday! COVID continues to disrupt
Monday, February 15th, 2021
Ash Wednesday on Sunday is a possibility. Cardinal John Dew and Bishop Patrick Dunn identified the option in messages to pastoral leaders and people in their respective dioceses. “If the Alert Level changes back to Level 1 on Wednesday night, we will look at having the belling and distribution of the ashes at Masses next Read more
Apology after teacher makes student remove Ash Wednesday cross
Thursday, March 14th, 2019A fourth-grade student says he wasn’t allowed to wear the ash cross on his forehead on Ash Wednesday His teacher gave him a wipe and told him to take it off Read more