That’s too bad that you are rebuffed. Those people are missing an opportunity to do some evangelizing.
If someone asked me, I would answer in the afirmative and then ask a couple of questions.
Where do the ashes come from? (Answer: the dried palms from the previous Palm Sunday are burned to provide the ashes.)
Second question — Do you know what the priest says when applying the ashes?
Answer:
The priest can say two things:
“REmember, man, thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return.”
“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”
And my last question would be about who can receive the ashes.
Answer : Any sinner, even many non-Catholics flock to Catholic Churches on Ash Wednesday to receive the ashes.
Then I would end with an invitation:
“Why don’t you consider coming to my church_____________(name inserted) next Ash Wednesday?
Whatever their answer I would wish them a happy day and a blessed Lent.
I was going around all day yesterday wishing people “Have a blessed Lent.”
Just my take — but then I am into evangelization! LOL!
Maybe next year — you can ask some of these Catholics the same questions. Go for it!
Thanks S. Good info I didn’t know.