The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a note on January 12 ordering priests to say the formula for distributing the ashes once to all present, instead of to each person. .
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican gave guidance on Tuesday on how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a note on January 12 ordering priests to say the formula for distributing the ashes once to all present, instead of to each person. .
The priest “addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general:‘ Repent and believe in the Gospel ’or‘ Remember that you are dust and it will dust you back, ”the note said.
He continued: “Then the priest cleans his hands, puts on a mask and distributes the ashes to those who approach him or, if necessary, to those who are standing in his place. The priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on everyone’s head without saying anything.
The note was signed by the congregation’s prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, and its secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche.
Ash Wednesday falls on February 17 this year.
In 2020, the Congregation for Divine Worship issued various instructions to priests on the administration of the sacraments and the offering of Mass during the coronavirus pandemic, including the celebration of Easter, which took place when many countries were closed and public liturgies were not allowed.