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January 22, 2021
Ash Wednesday Notes
Ash Wednesday is not a Holyday of Obligation, nor is the reception of ashes required of Catholics. Still, attendance at a Mass or Liturgy on Ash Wednesday is a dearly-held tradition of many Catholics. At Christ the Divine Shepherd Parish, we will conduct a number of liturgies on Ash Wednesday (February 17, 2021), in order to allow the faithful to gather for prayer and the distribution of ashes.
Recently, the Holy See in Rome addressed the question of the method of the distribution of ashes for 2021 on Ash Wednesday. They made a couple of modifications for this year, in light of the pandemic:
- Here in America, we’re accustomed to receiving ashes on our forehead, in the form of a cross. Elsewhere in the world (including in Rome!), ashes are sprinkled directly on the head on Ash Wednesday. This is an approach that is ancient in its origins, and is found in the Bible:
- “Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the people of Israel were assembled with fasting and in sackcloth, and with earth upon their heads.” (Nehemiah 9:1)
- “Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long tunic in which she was clothed. Then, putting her hands to her head, she went away crying loudly.” (2 Samuel 13:19)
In baptism, we are washed clean from original sin and anointed as “priest, prophet, and king” on the top of our head. It is fitting that ashes, a reminder of our sin and of baptism into death, be sprinkled on the crown of our heads, because at Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, the conquering of sin and death, and baptism into life.
This year, ashes will be sprinkled on the top of the head. We would ask that, as you approach the minister, you bow your head so as to allow the sprinkling of ashes.
- Typically, as the ashes are being imposed on each person, the minister says “repent and believe in the Gospel” or “remember that you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” This year, the minister will pronounce this reminder once, to the entire congregation – prior to the beginning of the distribution of ashes – and will distribute ashes in silence.