Santorum gets ashes but Gingrich skips Ash Wednesday Mass

The two remaining Catholics in the GOP field split Wednesday on attending Ash Wednesday services, with Newt Gingrich saying that he would be unable to attend Mass and Rick Santorum campaiging in Tuscon, Ariz., while displaying an ash cross.

Catholics traditionally attend Mass and receive the ashes as a sign of penitence and morality, but the ceremony is not categorized as a Holy Day of Obligation by the Catholic Church, so attendance is optional. Gingrich noted as much during a discussion with reporters Wednesday morning.

“It’s not a Holy Day of Obligation,” Gingrich told CNN and NBC.

Roman Catholics are traditionally obligated to attend church on eight Days of Obligation, in addition to regular Sunday service. Examples include Christmas, New Year’s Day, the Ascension of the Lord, All Saints’ and the Solemnity of Mary.

Gingrich told reporters that he had missed Mass at 8 a.m. MST Wednesday and would not have time to attend later in the day.

That the Republican presidential debate and Ash Wednesday coincided this year prompted many to wonder whether Gingrich or Santorum would wear ashes to the contest. Santorum’s campaign did not say whether the candidate would continue to wear the ashes through the evening; Catholic doctorine does not dictate how long a worshipper must wear the symbol.

Vice President Biden — also Catholic — notably has appeared in public with the ash cross.

Gingrich did say he will abide by the tradition of giving up a vice for Lent, promising to forgo dessert until Easter Sunday.

— This post was updated at 2:25 p.m.

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