Should You Wipe Your Ashes Off? (The Patrick Madrid Show)

So, you just got your ashes... nice. Now you're wondering: Do I keep these on all day? Will people stare? Will I have to explain to my coworkers?   Legit questions. And good news: there’s no official rule on this; you’ve got some freedom here.   Two Ways to Look at It   Patrick Madrid breaks it down into two perspectives:   1️⃣ Wear ’em proudly: Some see the ashes like a Catholic name tag for the day: "Hi, I’m Christian, and I believe in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection." It’s a small but powerful public witness.   2️⃣ Wash ’em off: Others point to Matthew 6, where Jesus talks about fasting in secret, warning against making a show of piety. They worry that keeping the ashes on could feel like spiritual bragging ("Look how holy I am!").   So… What Should You Do? 🤷‍♂️   Patrick Madrid’s take? Either is fine! The Church doesn’t require you to keep them on, nor does it say you have to wash them off.   He personally leans toward keeping them on...  especially in today’s secular culture, where public faith can be a bold (and much-needed) witness. But if you’d rather wipe them off to avoid attention, that’s totally okay too.   If You Keep Them On… Own It!    Don’t be embarrassed! People will notice, and yeah, some might ask questions. But that’s an awesome opportunity to share your faith, without even saying a word.   So, whether you wear them proudly or quietly wipe them off, make sure your heart is in the right place: focused on repentance, humility, and drawing closer to God. That’s what really matters.   👉 What do you do... keep them on or wash them off?     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.