\n<\/p>\n
Feb 26, 2021<\/p>\n
This Ash Wednesday, following a note from the Congregation for
\nDivine Worship and the Sacraments, many American parishes did not
\ndistribute ashes in the customary way of smudging a cross on the
\nforehead and saying one of two possible formulas to each recipient.
\nInstead, as an ostensible anti-COVID precaution, they sprinkled
\nashes on the top of the head and said the formula once to the whole
\ncongregation.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s guest, Gail Finke, wrote a thought-provoking article,
\nnot so much on the appropriateness of changing the usual practice
\nthis year because of the pandemic, but on an attitude so often
\ntaken in discussing Ash Wednesday every year.<\/p>\n
There is a certain spiritual elitism which regards concern for
\nthe external rite, including the rare opportunity to explicitly
\nwitness to the faith in a public way, as the province of those of
\nlittle or superficial faith, or even of the vain. If someone
\nobjects to a seemingly unnecessary change, he is said to be overly
\nconcerned with the inessential. Yet the experience of the past
\nseveral decades has shown us definitively that the elimination of
\n\u201cinessential\u201d devotions has had catastrophic effects on the faith
\nof Catholics.<\/p>\n
External expressions of devotion are important. The little
\nthings which set Catholics apart are important. Constant change and
\ndisorientation are not good for the people of God. The assumption
\nthat those who object to it must have little faith is arrogant. The
\nindifference to the reality that the large number who do have weak
\nfaith will easily fall away when denied the rites of the
\nChurch\u2014\u201cyou don\u2019t need to go to Mass, just make a spiritual
\ncommunion\u201d\u2014is callous and legalistic.<\/p>\n
Links<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch on YouTube: https:\/\/youtu.be\/LYkXheSxHXs<\/a><\/p>\n Gail Finke, \u201cAre We Going to Throw Out Ash Wednesday Too?\u201d Thomas Humphries, \u201cThe Case of the Great Pandemic Liturgical Driving Home the Faith radio show produced by Gail www.sacredheartradio.com<\/a><\/p>\n Ep. 84, Disobey Lockdown Now w\/ Douglas Farrow and Andrew Busch This podcast is a production of CatholicCulture.org. If you like
\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.crisismagazine.com\/2021\/are-we-going-to-throw-out-ash-wednesday-too<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFlip-Flop\u201d
\nhttps:\/\/churchlifejournal.nd.edu\/articles\/the-case-of-the-great-pandemic-liturgical-flip-flop\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.catholicculture.org\/commentary\/84-disobey-lockdown-now-douglas-farrow-andrew-busch\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nthe show, please consider supporting us! http:\/\/catholicculture.org\/donate\/audio<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n