Today some of my friends, (yeah yall know who I mean) will be sporting ashes on their foreheads. I'm neither Anglican nor Catholic so excuse my ingorance. BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN?

I like my friends, some I even love, but all year I have to watch them cuss, cheat, lie and all manner of immoral things, but......they display their ash big and bold on Ash Wednesday.

Come'on man, is religion here just tradition or is it a joke for some?

Please contact Foxhill with your measurements for said baskets!

Please contact Foxhill with your measurements for said baskets!


:shaky: you fool nah.. I is medium.

As a Catholic ie Roman Catholic and one who try not to encourage others to become Catholic, and because of my great respect for you... I will just share my personal reflections of this day with you...

ASH WEDNESDAY" Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return."Gn. 3:19

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. (Joel 2:13)

Reflection.
The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire (Esther 4:1). Job repented in sackcloth and ashes (Job 42:6). Prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem, Daniel wrote, "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Daniel 9:3).
Jesus made reference to ashes, "If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have reformed in sackcloth and ashes long ago" (Matthew 11:21).
In the Middle Ages, the priest would bless the dying person with holy water, saying, "Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return."
The Church adapted the use of ashes to mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, when we remember our mortality and mourn for our sins. In our present liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we use ashes made from the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." As we begin this holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter, we must remember the significance of the ashes we have received: We mourn and do penance for our sins. We again convert our hearts to the Lord, who suffered, died, and rose for our salvation. We renew the promises made at our baptism, when we died to an old life and rose to a new life with Christ. Finally, mindful that the kingdom of this world passes away, we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to its fulfillment in heaven.

Lenten Question
Q: What is Lent?
A: Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). [This traditional ennumeration does not precisely coincide with the calendar according to the liturgical reform. In order to give special prominence to the Sacred Triduum (Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) the current calendar counts Lent as only from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, up to the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Even so, Lenten practices are properly maintained up to the Easter Vigil, excluding Sundays, as before.]

Lenten Action.
Invite a non-practicing friend to Mass with you. You all can join me today, 12:00 noon St. Francis, West Hill Street, Nassau.

Let us Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.


For me Ash Wednesday is a day of both prayer, fasting and abstinence.

As a Catholic ie Roman Catholic and one who try not to encourage others to become Catholic, and because of my great respect for you... I will just share my personal reflections of this day with you...
ASH WEDNESDAY" Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return."Gn. 3:19
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. (Joel 2:13)
Reflection.
The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire (Esther 4:1). Job repented in sackcloth and ashes (Job 42:6). Prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem, Daniel wrote, "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Daniel 9:3).
Jesus made reference to ashes, "If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have reformed in sackcloth and ashes long ago" (Matthew 11:21).
In the Middle Ages, the priest would bless the dying person with holy water, saying, "Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return."
The Church adapted the use of ashes to mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, when we remember our mortality and mourn for our sins. In our present liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we use ashes made from the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." As we begin this holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter, we must remember the significance of the ashes we have received: We mourn and do penance for our sins. We again convert our hearts to the Lord, who suffered, died, and rose for our salvation. We renew the promises made at our baptism, when we died to an old life and rose to a new life with Christ. Finally, mindful that the kingdom of this world passes away, we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to its fulfillment in heaven.
Lenten Question
Q: What is Lent?
A: Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). [This traditional ennumeration does not precisely coincide with the calendar according to the liturgical reform. In order to give special prominence to the Sacred Triduum (Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) the current calendar counts Lent as only from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, up to the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Even so, Lenten practices are properly maintained up to the Easter Vigil, excluding Sundays, as before.]
Lenten Action.
Invite a non-practicing friend to Mass with you. You all can join me today, 12:00 noon St. Francis, West Hill Street, Nassau.
Let us Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
For me Ash Wednesday is a day of both prayer, fasting and abstinence.



Wow thanks Watsayu, I appreciate that. I've NEVER taken the time to learn about things like that but I've always been curious. Most people were not able to explain even though they had the ash on.

You say this is a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence, sort of like Lent right? Whats the difference?

And.........why do you NOT encourage others to become Catholic? Just curious.

Unless I go to a wedding or funeral, I hardly ever go to a Catholic or Anglican church. I have nothing against them, they just don't appeal to me. I like the "rich" history of both faiths though.

Last year while in New York I went into St Patrick's on Fifth Ave. The church was packed but for me, the whole experience was OVERWHELMING!! My mind went on my late grandparents and I could not shake it off. I got teary eyed and my husband was like "what happen to you" I said I don't know but I got up to light candles for all my departed family. I had NEVER done that before. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

St Patrick's is an AWESOME church right in the heart of the hussle and bussle. I still say WOW!!

Wow thanks Watsayu, I appreciate that. I've NEVER taken the time to learn about things like that but I've always been curious. Most people were not able to explain even though they had the ash on.
You say this is a day of prayer, fasting and abstinence, sort of like Lent right? Whats the difference?
And.........why do you NOT encourage others to become Catholic? Just curious.
Wow, you had to pick that up…. I do not want to get into arguments with people who do not want to accept that the Catholic Church is God’s presence on earth, even with our human failings and the Catholic Church has many…

That is my true belief of the Catholic Church…not wanting to understand or even finding it difficult to understand Catholicism as the only way to salvation as I see it, people has the right to do so... and I do not want to getting into these type of debates any more.. However, I will defend my faith regardless.

I firmly believe that sacraments baptism, anointing of the sick oil, and confirmation etc... Is God's grace to enable me to live my faith.

I firmly believe that the Eucharist of the Last supper (the Mass) is the highest form of worship and not (as some non Catholics say) just symbol.

I know that every thing that the catholic church does is biblical and inspired of God.

Ash Wednesday is the start of a forty day journey, and as do on Ash Wednesday we do during the forty days of lent.

Unless I go to a wedding or funeral, I hardly ever go to a Catholic or Anglican church. I have nothing against them, they just don't appeal to me. I like the "rich" history of both faiths though.
Last year while in New York I went into St Patrick's on Fifth Ave. The church was packed but for me, the whole experience was OVERWHELMING!! My mind went on my late grandparents and I could not shake it off. I got teary eyed and my husband was like "what happen to you" I said I don't know but I got up to light candles for all my departed family. I had NEVER done that before. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.
St Patrick's is an AWESOME church right in the heart of the hussle and bussle. I still say WOW!!I say the same thing.. WOW, I had an awsome experience at St. Paddy's during my few trips there.. but that happens to me at any Catholic Church.. or event....

What comes to mind of the story of (Act 26: 19- 32,) St. Paul was before King Agrippa and as the king expressed himself St. Paul expressed a sense that he was coming to a believe in the true faith.. but the King seem not willing to make the necessary movements to accepting.

Your experience is awsome...

My Lenten Dirge

by Lurker the Penitent

Ashes to Ashes


Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
You do what you can
I'll do what I must

Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
Life is short
So party we must.

Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust
what good is a bra,
without a bust.

Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust,
if it weren't for women,
my thing would rust

Ashes to ashes
dust to dust,
Show me a woman
that a man can trust.

As a Catholic ie Roman Catholic and one who try not to encourage others to become Catholic, and because of my great respect for you... I will just share my personal reflections of this day with you...

ASH WEDNESDAY" Dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return."Gn. 3:19

Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God. (Joel 2:13)

Reflection.
The liturgical use of ashes originated in the Old Testament times. Ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. In the Book of Esther, Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the decree of King Ahasuerus to kill all of the Jewish people in the Persian Empire (Esther 4:1). Job repented in sackcloth and ashes (Job 42:6). Prophesying the Babylonian captivity of Jerusalem, Daniel wrote, "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes" (Daniel 9:3).
Jesus made reference to ashes, "If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have reformed in sackcloth and ashes long ago" (Matthew 11:21).
In the Middle Ages, the priest would bless the dying person with holy water, saying, "Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return."
The Church adapted the use of ashes to mark the beginning of the penitential season of Lent, when we remember our mortality and mourn for our sins. In our present liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we use ashes made from the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." As we begin this holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter, we must remember the significance of the ashes we have received: We mourn and do penance for our sins. We again convert our hearts to the Lord, who suffered, died, and rose for our salvation. We renew the promises made at our baptism, when we died to an old life and rose to a new life with Christ. Finally, mindful that the kingdom of this world passes away, we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to its fulfillment in heaven.

Lenten Question
Q: What is Lent?
A: Lent is the forty day period before Easter, excluding Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Sunday). [This traditional ennumeration does not precisely coincide with the calendar according to the liturgical reform. In order to give special prominence to the Sacred Triduum (Mass of the Lord's Supper, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) the current calendar counts Lent as only from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, up to the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Even so, Lenten practices are properly maintained up to the Easter Vigil, excluding Sundays, as before.]

Lenten Action.
Invite a non-practicing friend to Mass with you. You all can join me today, 12:00 noon St. Francis, West Hill Street, Nassau.

Let us Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent.
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.


For me Ash Wednesday is a day of both prayer, fasting and abstinence.



I'M GLAD U AT LEAST CELEBRATE IT PROPERLY, LOTS OF PEOPLE I KNOW DO IT OUT OF HABIT!!! JUST TO SAY THEY WENT TO ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A FASHION STATEMENT!!!

I'M GLAD U AT LEAST CELEBRATE IT PROPERLY, LOTS OF PEOPLE I KNOW DO IT OUT OF HABIT!!! JUST TO SAY THEY WENT TO ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A FASHION STATEMENT!!!

and in all honesty, what religion, may i ask, hasn't become one of 'pattern'?
like...u go to church every Sunday, b/c that's what you're used to.

if only 'sincere' worshipers were allowed in church, it might just be empty...or filled with 'older' people.

i think this is something that needs to be seriously addressed.





with that being said..........anyone know where they're having mid-day Ash Wednesday services (besides Christ Church Cathedral)?

and in all honesty, what religion, may i ask, hasn't become one of 'pattern'?
like...u go to church every Sunday, b/c that's what you're used to.
if only 'sincere' worshipers were allowed in church, it might just be empty...or filled with 'older' people.
i think this is something that needs to be seriously addressed.
with that being said..........anyone know where they're having mid-day Ash Wednesday services (besides Christ Church Cathedral)?... St. Francis, St. Matthews.. all starts at 12:00 noon...

Thanks for this thread. I didn't know the meaning behind Ash wednesday...or Lent for that matter. I heard about them, but didn't find out more.

My Lenten Dirge
by Lurker the Penitent

Ashes to Ashes
Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
You do what you can
I'll do what I must
Ashes to ashes
Dust to dust
Life is short
So party we must.
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust
what good is a bra,
without a bust.
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust,
if it weren't for women,
my thing would rust
Ashes to ashes
dust to dust,
Show me a woman
that a man can trust. .. Man Lurker... WOW, but nuff respect...

... St. Francis, St. Matthews.. all starts at 12:00 noon...

thanks so much, watsayu.
'preciate it.