The Rosary Dad

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, and as always, it sparks a lot of interesting discussions. Is it a Holy Day of Obligation? Is it required to receive ashes? What about fasting and abstinence—what happens if a Catholic doesn’t follow them? And of course, the classic question: is wearing ashes publicly contrary to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6? Let’s break it down.

Is Ash Wednesday a Holy Day of Obligation?

The short answer? No. While Ash Wednesday is a significant day that marks the start of Lent, Catholics are not obligated to attend Mass. However, it is strongly encouraged, and most people do, not only to start Lent on the right foot but also to receive the ashes, which are a powerful symbol of repentance.

What is required on Ash Wednesday is fasting and abstinence:

• Fasting (for ages 18-59): One full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.
• Abstinence from meat (for ages 14 and older): No meat on Ash Wednesday (and all Fridays of Lent).

Is Receiving Ashes Required?

Again, no—receiving ashes is not a requirement. It’s a pious tradition, meaning it’s a devotional practice that helps express faith but is not necessary for salvation. The ashes serve as a visible reminder of our mortality (“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” – Genesis 3:19) and our call to repentance. But skipping ashes does not mean you’re skipping Lent—what matters most is our internal conversion.

The Biblical Roots of Ash Wednesday

Some people wonder if the practice of putting ashes is just a “tradition of men” (Mark 7:8). Actually, the use of ashes as a sign of repentance is deeply biblical:

Job 42:6 – “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Daniel 9:3 – “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.”
Jonah 3:6-10 – The king of Nineveh covered himself in sackcloth and sat in ashes as a sign of repentance, leading to God’s mercy on the people.
Esther 4:1 – Mordecai put on sackcloth and ashes when he heard of the king’s decree against the Jews.
Matthew 11:21 – Jesus says, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”

The Church continues this biblical tradition as a visible way to humble ourselves before God and acknowledge our need for His mercy.

Why Do We Receive Ashes?

Receiving ashes is a sign of repentance and humility. The priest or minister usually says one of two phrases when applying the ashes:

1. “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) – a reminder of our mortality and dependence on God.
2. “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15) – a call to conversion and faith in Christ.

The ashes are made from burned palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday, linking our repentance to Christ’s Passion and victory over sin.

Didn’t Jesus Say Not to Show That You’re Fasting?

This is a common question. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus warns against being like the hypocrites who make a show of their fasting to gain public praise. Instead, He tells His followers to wash their faces and anoint their heads so that only God sees their fasting.

At first glance, wearing ashes might seem to contradict this. However, the intention matters:

• If someone wears ashes for show, then yes, they’re missing the point.
• But if someone wears them as a sign of personal repentance, following the biblical tradition, then it’s not about seeking attention—it’s about humility.

Public expressions of faith are not necessarily wrong. After all, Jesus Himself participated in Jewish customs with outward signs, such as wearing a prayer shawl (tzitzit). The key is our interior disposition.

Is It a Sin Not to Fast and Abstain from Meat?

The Church’s teaching is clear: deliberately ignoring the obligation to fast and abstain from meat without a valid reason can be a sin—potentially even a mortal sin if done with full knowledge and deliberate intent.

The Church has the authority, given by Christ, to set these disciplines (Matthew 16:19, 18:18), and the Precepts of the Church include observing days of fasting and abstinence (CCC 2043). However, there are legitimate exemptions for: 

✔ The sick, elderly, pregnant/nursing mothers
✔ Those with physically demanding jobs
✔ Other serious reasons (a priest can give dispensation if needed)

If someone knowingly and willfully disregards the obligation, they should go to confession before receiving the Eucharist.

Can I Wipe Off the Ashes After Mass?

Yes, it is completely fine to wipe off the ashes. There’s no Church rule requiring you to keep them on all day. What matters is not the ashes themselves, but the repentance they symbolize. Whether you wear them all day or wipe them off immediately, the important thing is that you’ve committed your heart to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving this Lent.

Ash Wednesday is a powerful beginning to Lent, rich with biblical tradition. It reminds us to repent, fast, and turn to God. The ashes, fasting, and abstinence are not just external practices but calls to internal conversion. And at the end of the day, it’s not about what’s on our forehead but what’s in our heart.

Let’s make this Lent truly meaningful—not just with outward signs, but with real repentance and renewal.