How to Go to Church on Ash Wednesday

I do penance for being slow to resume this series.

Yes, I’ve been slow in fulfilling my promise to write more on how to go to church. I began what I hoped to become a series just before Christmas but my last post on the subject was also just before Christmas.

But my procrastination might be providential as Lent nears with its beginning on Ash Wednesday, next Wednesday.

For purposes of this post, I will assume the reader wishes to observe Ash Wednesday. I will not assume one wishes to observe a rigorous Lent. And going to an Ash Wednesday does not obligate one to do a rigorous Lent. I don’t recall fasting at all during Lent after the first time I attended an Ash Wednesday service. And it is very unusual for a church to be pushy about it, so don’t worry about being guilted or about a church police.

Speaking of my first Ash Wednesday service, it opened my eyes that Anglican worship can be very different. I visited St. David of Wales Episcopal in Denton, Texas in the early 2000’s for a noon service. What most struck me was its restraint. There was no music or singing that I recall and no sermon. And the priests (or the priest and assistant) just walked in from the side and began.

In hindsight, they kept the service spare in part so that workers could attend during their lunch hour. But it still surprised me as every service at my Bible Church consisted of several overamplified songs followed by a long (but usually very good) sermon. I appreciated the break from having to sing (which I often found tiresome) and the quiet focus on worship.

If you want a short simple Ash Wednesday service like that, then go in the morning or at lunch. If you would like a longer service, go in the evening. Of course, check the church’s schedule. (And, churches, please have an accurate, easily accessible Ash Wednesday schedule up on your web site and social media.) Whatever service you choose, it will likely be subdued with an emphasis on sorrow for sin and repentance. The penitential Psalm 51 will almost certainly be recited. I’ve never heard of a happy-clappy Ash Wednesday service, and God have mercy on any church that has one.

Toward the end of the service, there will be an opportunity to go forward and have the middle of your forehead smudged with ashes as a sign of humility, mortality and penitence. (According to the tradition, the ashes are from the palms of the previous year’s Palm Sunday.) You do not have to be smudged, nor are you obligated to wear the ashes the rest of the day, although I remember the late great Wall Street giant Art Cashin appearing on CNBC each year with them applied.

As for the beginning of the service, get there early. I think one should be at least a little early for most services if possible as I wrote previously, but the liturgy of Ash Wednesday makes it even more important. Also, one should quiet oneself and think upon one’s sins and need for repentance to get the full benefit. Yes, that is not pleasant, but Lent is about penitence, you know.

At the same time, if one is exploring and curious as I was at that first Ash Wednesday, that’s fine, too. But do get there on time or early.

Of course, not every church does ashes or Lent. I would suggest a traditional Anglican or traditional Roman Catholic church. (Sadly both are becoming harder to find in many regions.) I think most Lutherans also do Ash Wednesday. The Eastern Orthodox are odd, of course. Heck, they’ve already began giving up certain foods, and they can get really serious about Lent. I honestly am unsure how much they do Ash Wednesday, but I do not see a special service scheduled at the local Greek Orthodox church.

More could be said, but I hope that is helpful. Feel free to ask questions in the comments. I might be able to assist in finding traditional Anglican churches as well.

Speaking of which, Fr. Gregory Wilcox of St. Joseph Anglican in New Braunfels, Texas has posted a good and challenging primer for those who might want to get serious about observing Lent.

A Lenten Rule: What, Why and How