Ash Wednesday selfie@ChichesterDio/Twitter
Priests – any excuse for a photo op. With the help of Twitter and Instagram and the Christian holiday Ash Wednesday, however, they no longer need to take over your wedding/christening/confirmation photos.
Priests worldwide took to social media yesterday with the tag “#ashtag” to share their prelfies (priest selfies) while donning the traditional cross of ashes on the forehead. Ash Wednesday, the previously solemn holiday, marks the beginning of Lent, 40 days throughout which Christians fast and repent for their sins in the lead up to Easter.
While the new trend was greeted with enthusiasm by some who relish the modern twist to promote a religious holiday among other people, it has also been met with some disfavor among others as they question whether the new selfies fall in line with Christian teaching.
To #ashtag or not to ashtag. Seems like a conflict between “let your light shine” and “do not let others see you are fasting.”
— Sister Anne (@nunblogger) February 18, 2015
I've racked my brain trying to justify, theologically or otherwise, #ashtag & public displays of ashes. I've got nothin'.
— Greg Hillis (@gregorykhillis) February 18, 2015
We’ve compiled some of our favorites to let you decide. Anything to distract us from a day without meat!
Obligatory Sacristy Selfie. #AshTag Happy #AshWednesday! It's Lent, Do Something About. #Catholic pic.twitter.com/X6d0J5a2S8
— Fr. Kevin Wilwert (@FatherKW) February 18, 2015
The Ashes are a sign of mortality and my desperate need for Jesus' mercy. #ashtag #SeminarianSelfie #Catholic pic.twitter.com/DHnDKCjVMx
Lay #Spiritans Anne Marie and John Hansen joined Kate and Luci-Jo (@DuqMission) for an #AshTag Selfie! @US_Spiritans pic.twitter.com/Rux3TJ9FBf
— Spiritan Campus Min. (@SCMduq) February 18, 2015
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. #ashtag #Lent #Catholic #AshWednesday @USCCB @Pontifex @NCRegister pic.twitter.com/YFSn1War6c
— Jeremy Murphy (@jeremypmurphy) February 18, 2015
H/T: Mashable.