Ash Wednesday, an Ancient Tradition

Ash Wednesday, in the Western Christian calendar, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days (40 days not counting Sundays) before Easter. It is a movable fast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter. It can occur as early as February 4 (February 5 on leap years) or as late as March 10.

Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of repentance. The ashes used are typically gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday are burned. In the liturgical practice of some churches, the ashes are mixed with the Oil of the Catechumens (one of the sacred oils used to anoint those about to be baptized), though some churches use ordinary oil. This paste is used by the minister who presides at the service to make the sign of the cross, first upon his or her own forehead and then on those of congregants.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance—a day of contemplating one's transgressions. The Anglican Book of Common Prayer also designates Ash Wednesday as a day of fasting. In the medieval period, Ash Wednesday was the required annual day of penitential confession occurring after fasting and the remittance of the tithe. In other Christian denominations these practices are optional, with the main focus being on repentance. On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, Roman Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 (whose health enables them to do so) are permitted to consume only one full meal, which may be supplemented by two smaller meals, which together should not equal the full meal. Some Roman Catholics will go beyond the minimum obligations demanded by the Church and undertake a complete fast or a bread and water fast. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are also days of abstinence from meat (for those Catholics age 14 and over), as are all Fridays in Lent (before the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council's liturgical reforms, every Friday of the year was a day of abstinence from meat, which some still follow). Some Roman Catholics continue fasting during the whole of Lent, as was the Church's traditional requirement, concluding only after the celebration of the Easter Vigil.

Ash Wednesday is February 22, 2012!  Get your Ash Wednesday supplies with us.  We have ashes, candles, and other items to suit your Lenten needs.  Visit us online or call 1-866-757-5195 for more information!

Source: Wikipedia contributors, "Ash Wednesday," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ash_Wednesday&oldid=414379436 (accessed February 21, 2011).

Prepare for your Ash Wednesday service today and order ashes online at: ChurchSupplyWarehouse.com.
Or, call us at 1-866-757-5195 and order bags for 200, 500, or 1000 people!! RUSH shipping is required to receive by Ash Wednesday.

Important Update on the Revised Roman Missal, 3rd Edition

The Roman Missal, Third Edition, the ritual text containing prayers and instructions for the celebration of the Mass, is now being prepared for publication.  The Roman Missal will be implemented in the United States of America on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011.  The ritual editions should start arriving in parishes around October 1, 2011.   Pope John Paul II announced a revised version of the Missale Romanum during the Jubilee Year 2000. Among other things, the revised edition of the Missale Romanum contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. The English translation of the Roman Missal will also include updated translations of existing prayers, including some of the well-known responses and acclamations of the people.

Source:  United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  "Now Is the Time to Prepare for the Roman Missal.  Third Edition."  Accessed February 15, 2011.  http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/.

Order your parish's new ritual edition Revised Roman Missal in time for Advent at Church Supply Warehouse.  Order online or call today at 1-866-757-5795!!

Or, if you are in need of a new Personal Revised Roman Missal you can pre-order with us!!

The Meaning of the Paschal Candle

“May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.” Each year at Easter vigils, these words pierce the darkness as Christians gather around the lighting of a large candle. This candle is the paschal candle, sometimes called the Easter candle or Christ candle; its name comes from pasach, the Hebrew word for Passover. Congregations may have different Easter celebrations and very different-looking paschal candles, but the meaning and symbols are universal.

After a period of darkness beginning on Good Friday, congregations first light this candle during their earliest Easter celebrations, signaling Christ’s banishment of death and darkness. This tall white candle represents Christ’s steadfast presence in our midst, and its flickering flame dances with light and warmth, illuminating our shadowed world. We continue lighting the paschal candle each Sunday throughout the Easter season, with most congregations continuing to light it until Ascension Day.

We also light this special candle for baptisms, signifying the Holy Spirit and fire that John the Baptist promised to those baptized in Christ. From this flame, a member of the congregation lights another candle, which is given to the newly baptized along with these words: “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Just as we light the paschal candle at the beginning of life, so too, we light it at the end of life.  Its presence at the head of a casket or beside an urn reminds us again that Christ triumphed over darkness and death and that even in death, there is brilliant life.

Source:  Candlecarving.info.  "Meaning of the Paschal Candle."  Accessed on February 7, 2011.  http://www.candlecarving.info/Meaning.php.

Check out our Paschal Candles for 5% off and get all your Easter needs at Church Supply Warehouse online!