In his homily prepared for the occasion, which was read by Cardinal Parolin, Pope Francis underscored that prayer, charity, and fasting are "medicines" not only for ourselves but for all, and "they can change history" and are the "principal ways for God to intervene in our lives and in the world." And on this day of prayer and fasting for Ukraine, "we implore from God that peace which men and women are incapable of building by themselves." May the Lord hear these prayers, especially the lowly and suffering who are fleeing the violence, the Pope writes, and "restore peace to our heart once again, grant your peace to our days." Two kinds of rewardĪt the start of his homily, the Pope notes that, as heard in the Gospel at today's liturgy, we need to beware of practicing our piety in order to be seen and praised by others, when instead we should seek from the Father the "eternal, the true and ultimate reward, the purpose of our lives." The reward from others instead is "ephemeral" and is inward-looking, he notes, seeking out admiration for ourselves which is an illusion that leaves us unfulfilled.Īsh Wednesday procession from Church of Saint Anselm to the Basilica of Santa Sabina But the ashes should be distributed in such a way that the priest or minister is not touching the forehead of each of the faithful.Ash Wednesday celebration at Rome's Basilica of Santa Sabina Having pronounced the prayer of blessing of the ashes and after having sprinkled them with holy water, the priest, addressing himself to the faithful, will pronounce the formula from the Roman Missal: “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”Īfter washing his hands and placing his mask, the minister can then administer the ashes upon those who approach, or if it seems more advisable, the faithful can stay in their places and the minister can approach them. Many, though, dip their thumb in the fine ash and then trace a cross with the ash on the foreheads of the faithful as they come forward one by one. Some priests and ministers already use a sprinkling method for administering the ashes.
This directive was published January 12 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in a note signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Dicastery. As well, the optional phrases - such as “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return” - will not be pronounced to each member of the faithful, but said once by the celebrant, for the whole congregation.
Liturgy dicastery says that the ashes should be sprinkled on the heads of the faithful, and in silence.įor Ash Wednesday on February 17, priests or designated ministers should sprinkle the ashes on the heads of the faithful, so that there is no contact from tracing the cross in ash on the forehead.
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