The cross made of ashes is received during Wednesday Mass at the beginning of the lent season. It is put on the forehead and kept there, as a symbol of the belief "ashes to ashes, dust to dust". It is usually the burnt, blessed, palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday. The ashes signify a new beginning, and the start of a cleansing season that asks believers to give something up, in remembrance of Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The practice of fasting from something during the Lent season comes from when Jesus fasted in the desert and resisted temptation for forty days, before he was later crucified. The Lent season, which lasts 46 days, leads to the celebration of Easter Sunday; the day Jesus is believed to have resurrected from the dead.
The ashes are usually a recognizable, physical, symbol of a Catholic ritual, whereas protestants do not always participate in ash Wednesday. The Protestant church does not put as much emphasis on ash Wednesday as the Catholic Church does. After the Protestant Reformation, much of Catholic ritual and tradition was left behind, but some denominations still participate in Catholic based practices. The Lutheran Church is especially close to Catholicism in the ways they commemorate Lent. Though Lutherans are a reformed version of the Catholicism, they still use Lent traditions as a way of worship, maintaining both spiritual and physical aspects of it. Ashes on the forehead are a physical, material way of remembrance of the cleansing sacrifice they believe Jesus to be. Protestants acknowledge Lent season, but typically only celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter in most denominations. Catholicism has many more symbolic ways of celebrating, as opposed to the Protestants who left most physical symbols and formal rituals behind. Lent season starts with the ashes, and continues with fasting, different color robes, communion, and other specific, special elements of the mass services. Catholics and Protestants both are celebrating the same holiday, yet depending on what church you walk in, it could be a totally different experience physically and visually.
In regards to Material Christianity, all of these physical signs and objects have deeper spiritual representations and meanings, but are not needed to celebrate and believe the same Easter story. Though not every church practices the different traditions for showing meaning of the Lent season, they all believe in the general purpose behind them. Ashes are a very noticeable, physical symbol of the beginning of a meaningful season for all that believe in Jesus', and his crucifixion story, and it is a powerful thing to see so many participating in this ritual that has been carried on through so many generations.
This particular service in which this cross was received was at the Teal hall chapel on Albright College's campus. Though a Methodist College, there are many Catholic students that attend mass at Albright every Sunday, along with special services such as this one. Upon asking a regular attendant of the masses here at Albright how she feels about this sign of her faith, she said how it is deeply meaningful, but the symbol is just another reminder of how special her faith is to her in general. This season has many extra reminders and symbols, but it is not just something that is important during Lent. The cross of ash is something that she can physically feel to constantly remind her of what she lives for and why she has what she has. To her, it is a reminder of how if Jesus could endure temptation from Satan and fast for forty days, she can give up one thing to commemorate that ultimate sacrifice.
Upon asking a protestant student who does not receive ashes, they explained they do not feel the need to receive the ashes to be reminded of the meaning behind it. They did acknowledge if they were raised that way, it would be something of significance, but having grown up not participating in that tradition, they did not feel the need to do it. They do, however, respect those that do it and find it to be significant in its symbolism. One can conclude that the deeper meaning of it remains to a believer whether it is shown through physical symbol or simply personal remembrance.
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