why ashes on the forehead?

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can you remind me of the significance of ash wednesday and the ashes that we get on our forehead What does it mean?

thanks

-- rosa alcazar (alcazar@ciwemb.edu), February 13, 2002

Answers

Rosa,

I dropped something in e-mail about ashes on forhead. Sorry for not asking first, but I wanted you to have this information, and I am the slowest typer and worse speller on forum. And I have to go now.

God bless you.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 13, 2002.


Rosa,

Early Christians would show their desire to offer penitence through donning sackclothing, and covering themselves with ashes. We, in recent times, have pared this practice back with the ashes on our foreheads as an outward show of our sinful natures and struggle to do repent. Ashes are representative of our beliefs, spoken to us as the ashes are imposed upon us..."Remember, man that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." Christ died for us, and in return, we must die to our sins during this most serious, penitential liturgical season in preparation for re-living the reason why we are Christ's flock.

-- Melissa (holy_rhodes@earthlink.net), February 14, 2002.


I think its just a sign on your forehead. Hmmm, i think I heard of that in revelations somewhere.

-- yfn (myemail@dot.com), February 15, 2002.

Nice try, anti-Catholic "yfn."
However, the ashes on Ash Wednesday are imposed in the shape of the cross of Jesus -- not as "666," an opposing sign.
JFG

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 15, 2002.

I have been looking through the archives, because not much action has been taking place today. And, I fell across this thread.

I never knew the meaning of the ashes either! Wow! One more Biblical Tradition maintained in the Catholic Church!

If you're still around, thanks, Rosa, for bringing that question up.

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), September 10, 2002.



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