<p>Tomorrow is the start of Lent, which means I have to wear an ash on my forehead all day tomorrow. I am not a baby, but I am worried that I might draw a few stares, especially since I am going to a large, liberal, public school. This is only my freshman year, and this was never a problem in high school, since I was allowed to stay home all day because of religious reasons. I know I won't be the only one wearing an ash on my forehead, but I still don't know what to expect. Maybe if I had actually gotten involved in some religious groups i wouldn't be so worried. Should I wear a baseball cap all day or am I just a whiny baby?</p>
<p>Nobody will care, and those who don’t know will just think you got some grease smudged on your forehead.</p>
<p>I think most college age students should know those are ashes. But in any event, you do not have to leave them on. The topic came up every year in Catholic school, and what we were taught is that it is a personal decision - not a sin. Personally, I see no difference in washing them off and covering them with a baseball cap.</p>
<p>I’m from a public high school and I’ve heard about Lent, but I honestly never knew anything about the ash until this thread. At least now I’ll know for the future.
If it’s part of your religion and you want to do it, then do it. Don’t worry about what others say because it is your religion, not theirs.</p>
<p>Catholics unite! I’m totally going to Mass tomorrow for Ash Wednesday if I can get to the Church. I’m excited:)</p>
<p>It’s not just Catholics who receive ashes on Ash Wed, it’s just about all followers of Christ. Remember that followers of Christ were persecuted, and had to hide in the early days. It was unsafe to admit you were a follower. Christians in some areas of the Middle East and other parts of the world still must hide. Wear your ashes proudly…be glad you are in a society where you don’t have to fear for your life due to your religious beliefs…it isn’t that way everywhere even in the year 2012. Those who might snicker or criticize just don’t understand, or don’t have the intellect to do so. Are you really going to be embarrassed because of ignorant or insecure people? This season of Lent is all about remembering the sacrifice…if He wasn’t afraid to show who He really was, you don’t need to hide your real self either! Peace!</p>
<p><em>holds tongue</em></p>
<p>Hahahaha grease smudge!</p>
<p>Sent from my HTC HD2 using CC App</p>
<p>Hey be proud to be a Christian. If people have a problem with it, more power to you.</p>
<p>I say wear it proudly!</p>
<p>I’m getting ashes imposed on my forehead tomorrow. I may not be able to go till the 10 p.m. service, but that’s okay. It’s more important that you start Lent with the right attitude (penitential season), but if having the ashes on all day helps, then I say go for it.</p>
<p>teach, it’s many, but far from “just about all”. Many Protestant denominations didn’t start receiving ashes until recently and a lot still opt not to get them as they see it as a Catholic ritual. </p>
<p>I saw many people here with them, large public U. No one really commented, but I did hear a few "Oh crap, I forgot!"s. My boyfriend’s mom called to give him an earful because he didn’t go to mass to get them. It was funny. When I was younger and used to come home from Catholic school with stuff on my head, my mother was always so confused by how I managed to get dirt on that one area of my forehead.</p>
<p>When I saw my friends today I asked them why they have black smudges of dirt on their foreheads … Lol. Then they told me they were ashes and I totally was unaware that it was Lent -_- Then I started seeing few people here and there in the dining hall with the black ash cross on their foreheads too. I saw quite a few people with it, but then again … I do go to a Jesuit liberal arts school, sooooooo …</p>
<p>I’m agnostic. No.</p>
<p>I was raised Catholic and go to a Catholic University. That said, I didn’t get ashes today because I’m simply not that involved with my religion. Personal choice. I admire everyone who did get them today, though.</p>
<p>My daughter is dual enrolled in a class at our local state flagship university. She went to class with ashes on her forehead. Just before class started, another student approached her and asked, “Are those ashes from Ash Wednesday on your forehead”? Dd replied, “Yes”. The student then said, “Well you might want to go to the bathroom real quick and wash them off before class starts” and walked away! Dd ignored the suggestion but was curious as to why she would say such a thing, but there was no opportunity to ask.</p>
<p>If anybody cares to know, everything went really well yesterday. I got an ash at 8:30 am, wore it all day, and few people seemed to care. I did get quite a few stares and snickers and I only saw a handful of others with ashes, but overall, I had a very good day. The only awkward parts were during my Latin class with my homosexual TA and when people I know saw me with an ash. Also, I’m surprised this thread became as popular as it did. Thanks for all of your replies.</p>