I am always amazed at the numbers of people who show up for Ash Wednesday services. A colleague of mine actually says that more people are showing up for Ash Wednesdays lately than show up for Christmas or Easter. What a surpirse. Really. We used to refer to those people as "ChrEasters." Now we're going to have to come up with a new name, like ChrAshSters?
What makes people come on Ash Wednesday day? I wish I could answer that. Why don't you? Would you be willing to explain why you show up for Ash Wednesday services?
I am also amazed to hear some of the statistics that lots of people actually engage the Lenten practices of fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent. I don't want to sound like a cynic, but when you're working in the Church, you're looking at things like Mass attendance as a benchmark for how serious people are about practicing their faith. A lot of people don't go to Mass every weekend, and some only go a few times a year. So, it is surprising (a happy surprise) that people are serious about Lent. Good. Sweet. Why? What do you like about Lent and what are you doing to engage the Lenten disciplines of Fasting, Praying and Giving Alms?
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Was Ash Wednesday ever a Holy Day of Mass obligation? That might have something to do with the attendance rates...
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that was mentioned last Tuesday was the fact that when you have your ashes, people know that you have been to Church (e.i. you know you should be going to Mass every week, but don't, so you only go on the one day of the year that you can prove it to your co-workers). In other words, peer-pressure still works...
In my opinion, people still do all the fasting and lenten observances because they are looking for something to challenge them to greater things. Extra fasting and prayer is certainly above the ordinary for a fallen away Catholic. And I think,the more strict the Church gets about stuff, the more people will want to do it and come back to the Church.
~Laura
I look at Ash Wednesday and Lent as a time to reprioritize my life. Take time to think about things other than my own problems and prepare to celebrate the risen Lord. Lent is a 6 week reminder that we can all be better people and should be because of the incredible sacrafice made for us as Christians.
ReplyDeleteJudy.
Ash Wednesday was never a Holy Day of Obligation-and still you're not required to receive Ashes or even go to Mass. Don't let that get out too widely though! I do hope that people look at it as an opportunity to be challenged. We aren't always as lazy as we get credit for.
ReplyDeleteI'm the colleague with the statistics for Kevin... and it's true: 90% of Catholics observe a Lenten fast of some sort (give up meat on Fridays, give up something for 40 days, etc.). 50% of young adult Catholics go to Ash Wednesday services each year, and compared to the 15% who go each week on Sunday, that's a lot!
ReplyDeleteHi Kevin, I go to church weekly, but rarely have gone to get ashes! I have a long day at work, it's not that I don't want to go, I just wish I could run in, get my ashes, and beat it back to my work/clients. Hey, at least I go to church every Sunday!
ReplyDeleteI like this Catholic chat action that is taking place on this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis may sound irreverent, but I actually laughed out loud during the Ash Wednesday mass as I looked out to see numbers of students and faculty piling in the pews. I thought to myself, where are you when we have mass on campus once a month? Where are you during our Cathoilc student meetings? Do you only come so you can be rewarded, once a year, with a glob of ashes on your forehead? I almost didn't want to be there. It's not even a Holy Day, and yet there were a ton of people there. Why?
Off my soap box. For me, Lent always seems to come at the perfect time. After Christmas I get in this lull, and unenthusiastic state with my faith, and with life in general, I suppose. For me, it's a pick-me-up time of year. I try to see the light of God in the darkness of winter. Leave space for sacrifice, prayer, and steadfast mass attendance. There are multiple ways, too, during Lent where those pick-me-ups are readily available for us to take advantage of. Stations of the cross, adoration, reconciliation..usually an extra helping of all of those things during this time of year.
I like Lent.
Lent is a great time to regain focus in your life, whether it be setting new goals or breaking bad habbits. I was encouraged to see the great turn out at Ash Wednesday Mass. There is a strong community of Catholics on this campus, we need to come together as one and celebrate our faith.
ReplyDeleteI like to compare the season of Lent to the New Year. On January 1st it seems as though everyone goes on a big diet and joins a gym. This lasts on average for about a week or two, then it gets boring and we go back to falling into our lazy habbits. However those that stick with their diet and perservere through challenge are pleased with the continuous results.
This Lenten season it is my goal to not give up on my "diet" and break through the obstacles between societies temptations and the Cathlolic faith. In so doing I will continue to build my relationship with the Lord which will allow me to maintain a healthy life balance of school and athletics centered around the faith we share.