The Congregation for Divine Worship publishes a note outlining the procedures to be followed by priests around the world for the distribution of ashes at the beginning of Lent.
For Vatican News
The health situation caused by Covid-19 continues to force changes in daily life, which are also reflected in the sphere of the Church.
Before the beginning of Lent, on Wednesday, February 17, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued a note detailing how Catholic priests are to distribute ashes.
Instructions
After blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy blessed water, the priest addresses those present, reciting once the formula found in the Roman Missal: “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust and will dust you will return ”.
At this point, the note continues, the priest “cleans his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes ashes to those who come to him or, if necessary, goes to those who are standing in his place.”
He then sprinkles the ashes on each person’s head “without saying anything”.