LIVING BY TRADITION ASH WEDNESDAY CELEBRATED THE OLD WAY AT CHURCH.

Byline: CONNIE LLANOS 

Staff Writer

NEWHALL -- Gently draping a century-old royal purple vestment on a hanger, Father Dominic Radecki had to run his fingers over the delicate stitching one last time before he set it in his closet.

"We picked this up from a church that was throwing it away," Radecki said. "I don't know how anyone could throw away something so beautiful."

A priest at Queen of Angels, a pre-Vatican II traditional Catholic church, Radecki loves history and goes back in time to observe all religious holidays.

Today he will wear the purple cloak at a Mass marking the start of Lent -- such elaborate garb is rarely seen these days in the new Catholic church, he said.

"We do everything here the way it has been done in the church for 2,000 years," Radecki said, who celebrates Mass in Latin.

That means burning the palms used in ceremonies from past Palm Sundays -- even though the ashes that mark worshipers foreheads on Ash Wednesday are now available online.

The old traditions stand firm at this tiny Newhall congregation.

On Tuesday, as he prepared for today's observances, Radecki held up the small silver cup that's contains the ashes he will use. The contents are the remains of holy palms burned by altar boys after last year's Palm Sunday service to commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem just days before he was crucified.

Increased restrictions have prompted some churches to buy their ashes from retailers who sell them by the pound, but for a traditionalist like Radecki that just isn't right.

"It eliminates the spiritual meaning of the practice," he said.

The practice of placing ash in the shape of a cross on the forehead stems from the biblical the Book of Genesis, where God castigates Adam and Eve.

"Thou are dust and to dust thou shall return," God says before banishing them from the Garden of Eden.

For Radecki such a Bible-driven practice cannot be duplicated by mass retailers.

"All of it is symbolic of our repentance for our sins and contrition and in preparation for our eventual death."

Starting today Radecki and his traditional congregation will fast until Easter. Parishioners from 21 to 59 will eat one meal a day with meat and two smaller meals that "combined cannot be more than the larger meal."

For retired painter Raul Duenez, it is tradition that keeps him at the small church, not recognized by the Vatican because it sticks to the old rules.

He admits that the counted few who attend Mass every day will be crowded by many unfamiliar faces today, but Duenez doesn't call that hypocrisy.

"Everyone works and has responsibilities, it is on these days that we are supposed to pay respect and it is great that they participate."

Nearby Catholic church Our Lady of Perpetual Help, considered a modern church, is preparing for the droves.

"Ash Wednesday and Christmas are our busiest time of year," said church receptionist Aurora Kvrgic.

Ashes will be distributed throughout the day at the larger church with two morning Masses and ash distribution every half-hour during the afternoon.

But Radecki likes the idea of his congregation having to sit down for Mass and prayer before receiving the ash.

"Especially in Los Angeles where everyone has a busy life there's traffic and other problems; church gives you some spirituality and strength so you can then deal with all of your issues."

Radecki added that those who cannot make it to Mass Wednesday can receive their ashes during Sunday services.

"The church is strict about its penance but it's also fair and flexible," Radecki said.

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CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Father Dominic Radecki will preside over Ash Wednesday services at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newhall. Radecki gives all masses at the church in Latin and sticks to the old traditions of the Catholic church.

(2) Father Dominic Radecki will use ash that is made from palms for Ash Wednesday services at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newhall.

David Crane/Staff Photographer