Ash Wednesday --- would you have that cross-shaped black ash on your forehead???

Where does it say in the Bible that you need to repent and abstain during Lent? If I'm not mistaken those were rules for the Israelites. It's necessary to wear that cross because Jesus already did.

Having that cross-shaped black ash mark on your forehead is a sign of a TRUE Christain and a devoted catholic. It doesn't really show that you are repenting (but it's best for you if you do) but it reminds us that everything on earth comes from the ash and into the ash we return. This also symbolized that you are a God-fearing person.

The mark of ash on your forehead is a sign that you are a catholic and are ready to show the world that you are not ashamed of Chirst and his church. it is a sign that we want to be repentent and thats what the season of lent is for. I go for mass on ash wednesday as it marks the begining of the lenten season.

For those who are protestant and say they dont believe..remember it is biblical to sit in sackcloth and ashes..It it a biblically accepted form of penance..of course that is something frowned upon by so many.. That being said; yes, I have had it put on my forehead for the past 42 years.. It is a placed in the shape of the cross and it reminds us of many things but most of all.it is to keep before us that as we came from the dust.to dus we shall one day return and that this life as we know it it passing. We shouldn't cling to it like we will be here forever;)+

i used to do that when i was younger and forced to go to church every sunday. once i moved, i haven't done it since. i tried doing the no meat on firdays during lent but couldn't take because my husband and kids are not catholic, just me. so i wouldn't really have anything to eat for myself. i understand the meaning, but i don't really celebrate the religous meaning of it anymore. its not that i don't believe it the lord. its just that the roman catholic church i think is one of the only churchs that do that pratice of lent and fasting. if you're going to fast ACTUALLY fast not a short cut version of it. it is really interesting when you think about it.

rexy, for me it really doesnt count as wearing ash on your face doesnt make u a better christian nor does it increase people chances on being heaven bound, but all the same for me, i like being a christian that operates from the inner mind to the outter body. i think people should learn to operate that way than showing off, u know.

Where I came from, protestants did not do this, and my Catholic friends that were devout enough to do this were all in Catholic school. I think I learned about this by embarrassing myself about twenty five years ago. Our churches now are beginning to recognize the signifigance to the devout of Ash Wednesday, and having services, communion, and reflection times. Not the ashes. The tradition I come from basically tries to refrain from calling extraordinary attention to themselves. When I was young no one wore religious jewelry, either. Times change. I would probably still not wear the ashes, but I would love to be able to take Ash Wednesday as a day of devotion.

I am a recovering Catholic so Ive gone through all the loops of this Lent episodes. I feel now that as long as you believe in a Higher Power it makes no differnece as far as what type of practices you observe to worship this H.P. So go for whatever you wish. I have not observed the "classic" Catholic religious traditions in over 30 years now but still Believe in God. Thanks for this topic.

Yes it is the first day of Lent, Oh my goodness they do not do this in Australia to anyone never mind for Ash Wednesday are you sure that this is what they were doing. No I do not think that it is right at all to mark your forehead with a black cross. I have been to church for Ash Wednesday but the priest never did this to any of his congregation.

I went to the Ash Wednesday service at my church and it was a wonderful service. I did have the cross-shaped ash on my forehead. It is a sign of what Christ endured for me and I don't ever want to forget it.

Fasting and abstinence has always been traditional within the churches during the period of lent which starts today (Ash wednesday). I don't think the cross is essential, as your repentance is something personal between you and god. In our home we don't go to church very often now, but we do give something up for lent, usually we start our diets now, or make all those resolutions that others made for the new year. We find that as it is a time of abstinence for god, then we are more likely to stick with it.

Oh my! Yesterday was ash wednesday? Forgive me but I really do forgot! Oooopppsss. I missed it. I've always believed that it a sign of repentance and also preparation for lent. But I just forgot about it. Now that I have missed it, I should not be missing the most important part; Confession.

As a Catholic we have that point of view, it has been with us from the past until now. But for me repentance is up to you if you go to church to have the black cross of ash or not. It is how you repent for the holy week, just a simple prayer from your heart.

I HAD to respond to this discussion because even as I type, I am sitting here with the black ash cross stuck right in the middle of my forehead. I do not believe that not getting the cross on your forehead will comdemn you but I do feel that it shows a commitment to your faith, especially when you wear it out in public among the masses of staring eyes. during Lent, I also abstain from meat, but this is mostly for myself. When I do show courage by going out with the ash on my forehead or fasting and abstaining, I actually feel better, which may just be a personal thing. I believe everyone should do what they feel is right in order to be a good person and believer, but it just so happens that taking part in the symbolic customs of my religion is one of my guidelines.

I didn't even realize it was Ash Wednesday until I was at the store yesterday and saw a lady with a big black "dot" on her forehead. At first I was like what the? Then I realized what day it was. I went to Catholic school so it was a big thing. I don't go to church anymore, nor to I believe in that stuff but part of me is still drawn to Lent. I always tried very hard to give something up for Lent and was the only one in my family that really didn't eat meat on Friday. Even though as a kid I didn't believe. I think I took it as a personal challenge and one year I actually made it all through Lent giving up whatever it was (I think it was potato chips when I was in 7th grade, lol).

well today is thursday now and yes i attend the mass yesterday and i was supresed that we have an indian priest. anyway, i really do believe that no ones should feel obligated and forces to attend mass cause it just break the sense and the holiness of your faith. doing penance depends on how the person gets the message. some may do penance by abstining and some may do more excerside to become more healthy when the resurection day celebration comes. and all of this depends to the person. yesterdasy after attending that mass i decided to do penance by having only one meal instead of three and in alternative to that is just water and bread. this is the first time i will doing this since i feel so strong about it and i feel that it will bring something in me.

Putting cross shaped ash on the forehead is just a visible sign. I think it is more important that you really repent in you mind. So I don't it is necessary for that visible sign be put on one's forehead.

I think of this more as a way to show your faith in public. I do not think that you will be condemned if you don't get the cross on your forehead. I got the cross on my forehead as well. For me it was a symbol of my faith and commitment to God and to the changes that He wants me to make in my life. I think that each person has their own reasons for either getting the cross or not doing so.

i dont think that it is necessary but in saying that i receive it every ash wednesday as it part of culture and the church reccommmend it but however whilst listening to mass this ash wednesday i heard the preist give a sermon about the pharisees and he said in a few short words that you should fast pray etc in silence and do not make it known if so why then did we receive the cros for surely god would have known that we are repenting- so if i were you would receive the cross anxd you'll feel better may god bless you

I've never been to an Ash Wednesday service before, but I've had numerous friends who have. It's not something in the Bible, but a tradition started by the church centuries ago. However, it is a great reminder of our mortality and to be repentant. If you're like that every day anyway, you don't need a specific time of year set to do it.