Ash Wednesday

40 years ago Catholic churches were, for the most part, filled to capacity on Ash Wednesday as the season of Lent began. One could feel the solemnity of the day. Just about everyone knew that you were Catholic if you had the Sign of the Cross above your eyes, and you were respected for your faith. Many employers even paid for the day off for Catholics to observe this Holy day. Over the last 30 years or so, however, there has been a general decline in Sunday Mass attendance, let alone Holy Day observances. When I go to daily Mass, attendance is anywhere from 6 (yes, you read that right!) one time to 100 or so. I notice that attendance is greater in the other cities I visit than in Stockton. When I attend in Stockton, the average is about 25 compared to 50 or 75 in any other parish. And, Stockton probably has more priests! There are more "Communion Services" in the other cities than in Stockton. Of course I like to attend either early morning, which is not for everybody, or after work when most people just want to go home and relax. I rarely go at the 8AM or Noon Masses. When I do, attendance is a little greater at those times. Anyway, compare that to 40 years ago and it's somewhat distressing. Not just the Mass attendance, but the awareness of what we as Catholics believe in general. After receiving my ashes this morning, every single person I encountered mentioned that I had a "grease mark" on my forehead and maybe I should clean it off. This gave me a few things to meditate on today.

In the old days, the ashes were distinctly a "Sign of the Cross" and there was no mistaking the "mark of faith" even to non-believers. Over the last couple of Ash Wednesdays though, I have come away with a "smudge" of ash that doesn't lend itself to identifying me as a repentant sinner preparing for the Passion of Christ and His crucifixion. I noticed, probably scrupulously (I'll have to confess that), that those who received the ashes from the priest today were more recognizable as a cross. Of course, he was also slower in administering them. Maybe we just need to slow down in today's world, or it could be that the Eucharistic Minister I received ashes from just had no talent for drawing crosses. As I said, I may be a bit too scrupulous in this matter.

Also, as I mentioned before, Catholics used to be respected for their faith and were a "moral compass" for the world. Whenever anyone asked me today what the smudge was and I explained it was ashes, most of them shrugged and smiled that smile that says, "Oh, you're one of those people.--Do you really believe all that stuff?"

But on the positive side, I was (and remain) ready to explain and defend my faith to anyone who asks. I was actually hoping someone would be curious enough to ask me questions about the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

Maybe next time.