To Ashes

Day 20

Today is Ash Wednesday.  My out of character Tuesday night festivities was in preparation for today when I would return to my good Catholic Girl roots.  I was, however, just as excited for today as yesterday, as the Pope normally celebrates mass at Santa Sabina, the basilica right next door to the convent.  Unfortunately, with his declining health and the recent announcement of his retirement, he was not able to come to Santa Sabina.

Not to worry though, Since my arrival I have been scouting every church I pass trying to figure out mass times.  Last week, on one of my many sojourns through the city, I passed a church that courteously announced it would hold an mass today in English.

The mass consisted of about 20 students, and a few older women.  Our priest was an adorable little old Italian whose English was just barely passable.  Not that that mattered, because his enthusiasm to have us all there was infectious.

The most interesting part of my Ash Wednesday experience was the distribution of ashes.  For the past 20 years I have been accustomed to the blessing "From dust you came, to dust you shall return" and the priest marks your forehead with a cross of ashes (or a large black smudge as it often turns out).  Here I received a different blessing ("Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the gospel," or something along those lines), and the ashes were literally sprinkled on top of my head.  These little different experiences are one of the many reasons I'm loving my semester here.

Ciao
J