Ash Wednesday Questions and Lenten fasting
Is Ash Wednesday a Holy day of obligation? What are the different types of liturgy celebrated on Ash Wednesday? The first answer is no, Ash Wednesday is not a Holy Day of Obligation (surprising, right?!). This does not mean it's not important! Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Holy season of Lent, and is also a day of fasting and abstaining from eating meat.
You can find a variety of Masses to attend on Ash Wednesday, in which we will both celebrate the Eucharist, and receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance and turning back to the Lord. At Three Holy Women, Masses are held at 9:00 a.m at St. Hedwig, Noon at St. Rita, and 6:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary. Anyone may receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, the ashes used on this day are made from burning the palms from Palm Sunday.
You can also attend a simple prayer and ashes service, often done at hospitals, and places of care for the sick. This not a Mass, but is another way to call to mind the penitential attitude of this day and begin Lent by turning to the Lord.
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. The guidelines for fasting and absitnence during Lent are as follows (taken from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee website:
All Catholics, from 14 years of age, abstain from meat on all Fridays and Ash Wednesday.
Those from age 18 up to age 59 (the obligation to fast ends on one’s 59th birthday) fast all day on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.
Have a blessed Lent!
You can find a variety of Masses to attend on Ash Wednesday, in which we will both celebrate the Eucharist, and receive ashes on our foreheads as a sign of repentance and turning back to the Lord. At Three Holy Women, Masses are held at 9:00 a.m at St. Hedwig, Noon at St. Rita, and 6:00 p.m. at Holy Rosary. Anyone may receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. Traditionally, the ashes used on this day are made from burning the palms from Palm Sunday.
You can also attend a simple prayer and ashes service, often done at hospitals, and places of care for the sick. This not a Mass, but is another way to call to mind the penitential attitude of this day and begin Lent by turning to the Lord.
Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. The guidelines for fasting and absitnence during Lent are as follows (taken from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee website:
All Catholics, from 14 years of age, abstain from meat on all Fridays and Ash Wednesday.
Those from age 18 up to age 59 (the obligation to fast ends on one’s 59th birthday) fast all day on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, only one full meatless meal is allowed. Two other smaller meatless meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to each one's needs, but together they should not equal another full meal. Eating between meals is not permitted on these two days, but liquids, including milk and fruit juices are allowed. When health or ability to work would be seriously affected, the law does not oblige.
Catholics should not lightly excuse themselves from these prescribed minimal penitential practices.
Have a blessed Lent!
posted by staff | 5:50 PM
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