Ash Wednesday: A Journey of Renewal in the African Spirit
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of spiritual reflection and penitence that lasts for 40 days (not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. It is a day when many Christians attend mass, and during the mass, the priest marks a cross of ashes on the forehead of the faithful as a symbol of repentance.SSPP Bodija
1. Ash Wednesday: The Start of Our Lenten Pilgrimage.
Ash Wednesday begins our 40-day spiritual pilgrimage. It's a time to turn our hearts towards God, preparing to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and celebrate his resurrection. Lent can be seen as a journey of inner transformation. The faithful are called to conversion and to truly prepare to live the mysteries of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Roman Missal, which prescribes the ritual for Ash Wednesday, explains that at Mass the ashes made from the palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year are blessed and placed on the foreheads of the faithful.
2. The Tradition of Ashes: Rooted in Humility.
The tradition of placing ashes on penitents dates back to the early Church. Back then people placed the ashes on their heads and appeared before the community with a “penitential habit” to receive the sacrament of reconciliation on Holy Thursday. Starting in the 11th century, the Church of Rome placed ashes on all the faithful who would come forward at the beginning of this time. The use of ashes reminds us of our connection to the earth and our need for God's mercy. It's a symbol of humility, acknowledging our human frailty.
3. Ashes: A Call for God's Mercy and Forgiveness.
The ashes remind us that we all need God's grace. It's a time to seek forgiveness and renew our commitment to living a life pleasing to God.
Ashes are a symbol. Their function is described in No. 125 of the Directory on Popular Piety and Liturgy, a document published by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
“In the Roman rite, the beginning of the 40 days of penance is marked with the austere symbol of ashes, which are used in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. The use of ashes is a survival from an ancient rite according to which converted sinners submitted themselves to canonical penance. The act of putting on ashes symbolizes fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Far from being a merely external act, the Church has retained the use of ashes to symbolize that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptized are called during Lent. The faithful who come to receive ashes should be assisted in perceiving the implicit internal significance of this act, which disposes them toward conversion and renewed Easter commitment.”
4. The Symbolism of Ashes: Life, Death, and Renewal.
Ashes represent the cycle of life and death, reminding us that life is fleeting. But they also symbolize renewal, as we prepare for the new life of Easter.
Ashes, as a sign of humility, remind the Christian of his origin and his end: “the Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground” (Gn 2:7); “until you return to the ground, from which you were taken” (Gn 3:19).
5. Ashes from Palm Branches: A Connection to Palm Sunday.
Just as we use natural resources for blessings, the ashes made from last year's Palm Sunday branches connect us to the previous celebration. Per the instructions of the Roman Missal, ashes are typically supposed to be made from last year’s Palm Sunday palm branches.
These branches are then burned down into a fine powder and, in Nigeria, are mixed with holy water to create a light paste.
6. Receiving Ashes: A Sign of Commitment.
Whether in a grand cathedral or a small village church, receiving ashes on the forehead is a visible sign of our commitment to Lent.
The distribution of ashes takes place at Mass at the end of the homily. The ashes are placed on the forehead making the sign of the cross while the minister says: “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.”
The person receiving the ashes then goes back to his or her pew in silence, meditating on the words that were spoken.
7. Ashes and the Word of God: A Time for Reflection.
Even if a full Mass isn't possible, the Word of God and the distribution of ashes can be a powerful experience.
When there is no priest, the faithful can receive ashes without a Mass, but this is not the norm. However, in such a case it is recommended that the distribution of ashes be preceded by a Liturgy of the Word.
It is important to remember that like all sacramentals, ashes can only be blessed by a priest or deacon.
8. Ashes Can Be Received by Non-Catholics.
Anyone can receive this sacramental, even non-Catholics. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states in No. 1670: “Sacramentals do not confer the grace of the Holy Spirit in the way that the sacraments do, but by the Church’s prayer, they prepare us to receive grace and dispose us to cooperate with it.”
9. It Is Not Obligatory to Receive Ashes.
Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation and therefore receiving ashes is not obligatory. However, it is always recommended to attend Mass.
10. Fasting and Abstinence: A Time for Sacrifice.
Fasting and abstinence are ways to show our devotion and sacrifice during Lent. On Ash Wednesday, fasting and abstinence are traditionally observed, particularly for those 18–59 years of age. Outside of those limits it is often optional. This practice usually means consuming only one full, meatless meal. Some food can be taken at other regular mealtimes if necessary, but combined, they should be less than a full meal.
Liquids are allowed at any time, but no solid food should be consumed between meals. In many African cultures, fasting is a traditional spiritual practice. Rather than just abstaining from meat, people may also choose to abstain from things that are important to them.
The concept of community sacrifice is also important. The community could decide to give up a luxury item, and donate the money saved to the poor.
Adapted from CNA