In The Ashes of Catholicism

The Roman Catholic Church instituted the liturgucal observation of Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. Thomas Talley, an expert on the history of the Catholic liturgical year, says that the first clearly datable liturgy for Ash Wednesday that provides for sprinkling ashes is in the Romano-Germanic pontifical of 960. Pope Urban II called for the general use of ashes on that day. Only later did this day come to be called Ash Wednesday.

Fast forward to 2008 and we see the Emergents embrace of this very Catholic tradition...
Tony Jones will join Raleigh-Durham Emergent Church Cohort for the Ash Wednesday.

The Emergents in the UK handed out match boxes so they could strike a match to count 40 days of prayer for Sri Lanka.

Roger Oakland in his book, FAITH UNDONE notes the following:

Robert Webber listed a number of things he believed were necessary for “talented workers” to become a successful part of this new [ancient-faith] movement.

• Rediscovering how God acts through the sacred signs of water, bread and wine, oil and laying on of hands.
• Rediscovering the central nature of the table of the Lord in the Lord’s Supper, breaking of bread, communion and Eucharist.
• Rediscovering congregational spirituality through the Christian celebration in Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost.

Oakland shares this about the use of contemplative prayer and the Emergent -Lenten observance

Doug Pagitt also has found use for the labyrinth. He explains, “The first day of Lent this year brought the first Ash Wednesday gathering in our church’s history and in mine. The evening began with people walking a candlelit labyrinth… The experience of walking the labyrinth invites the body into a rhythm of moving around and moving toward the center, then back out…”

Dan Kimball sums it up the pursuit of the liturgical experience in his book, The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generation:

We should be returning to a no-holds-barred approach to worship and teaching so that when we gather, there is no doubt we are in the presence of God. I believe that both believers and unbelievers in our emerging culture are hungry for this. It isn’t about clever apologetics or careful exegetical and expository preaching or great worship bands. … Emerging generations are hungry to experience God in worship.

And of course, this blog would be remiss if we didn't recognize the new liturgy ritual that has been observed over the last several years...the observance of the 40 Days of Purpose campaign during the very Catholic Lenten season. A campaign that edifies Roman Catholic saints and mystics.