Last month, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note explaining the modification of the Ash Wednesday rite, adapting it to health safety measures.
No physical contact
Instead of performing the dignity of the cross on the heads of the faithful, this year, the priest "pronouncing the prayer of blessing of the ashes and after sprinkling them, without saying anything, with holy water, will address those present, saying once and for all the faithful, the formula of the Roman Missal: "Convert and believe in the Gospel", or: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return".
The priest will then wipe his hands and put on a mask to protect his nose and mouth. He will then impose the ashes on those who approach him or, if appropriate, he will approach the faithful who are standing, remaining in their place. Likewise, the priest will take the ashes and let them fall on the head of each one, without saying anything".
The note was signed at the headquarters of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on January 12, 2021 by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments since 2014 and Archbishop Arthur Roche, Archbishop Secretary.
