He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. May, through a steadfast observance of Lent, That we, who acknowledge we are but ashes Which we intend to receive upon our heads, O God, who desire not the death of sinners,Īnd in your kindness be pleased to bless + these ashes To celebrate the Paschal Mystery of your Son. They may be worthy to come with minds made pure That, as they follow the Lenten observances, On your servants who are marked with these ashes,
These ashes, which we will put on our heads in penitence.Īfter a brief prayer in silence, and, with hands extended, he continues:Īnd respond with forgiveness to works of penance,Īnd in your kindness pour out the grace of your + blessing That he be pleased to bless with the abundance of his grace The rite is concluded with the Universal Prayer, the Blessing, and the Dismissal of the Faithful.Īfter the Homily, the Priest, standing with hands joined, says: Then there follow the Homily and the blessing and distribution of ashes. In this case, the rite is preceded by a Liturgy of the Word, with the Entrance Antiphon, the Collect, and the readings with their chants as at Mass. The blessing and distribution of ashes may also take place outside Mass. During the Mass on Ash Wednesday, ashes are blessed and distributed after the homily.
