Matthew, Jesus noted the custom of repenting in “sackcloth and ashes.” But wearing ashes as a sign of penitence goes back even before that: Old Testament prophets spoke of fasting in sackcloth and ashes in supplication to God. However it happens, the custom of being marked with ash at the beginning of Lent dates back to the early Church. has instructed priests to impose ashes on the forehead, using a q-tip, and others will offer ashes in the ordinary mode of tracing. But some dioceses will do otherwise: Some dioceses in the U.S., Canada and the Philippines have prepared kits so families can distribute ashes at home, at least one diocese in the U.S. dioceses are planning to follow the Vatican’s recommendation. “Being a sacramental, not a sacrament, the additional point of distribution for ashes is not closely regulated by liturgical law,” she added.īreaking from that ordinary flexibility, the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments has made specific recommendations for distributing ashes in 2021, because of the pandemic.Īshes should be distributed by a priest, who should exhort the entire congregation once to repentance, and then, wearing a mask, sprinkle ashes atop the head of each Catholic, without saying anything more, the Vatican has urged. “Traditionally, the Roman Rite has been much more flexible with sacramentals than sacraments,” Boughton explained. “In the sacrament of baptism, for example, a priest-presbyter who confers the Sacrament is to anoint the caput of the recipient - top or crown of the head - but not the frons - forehead - which is reserved to anointing.in the sacrament of confirmation.” Lynne Boughton, a specialist in the history of liturgy at the Liturgical Institute at Mundelein Seminary, told The Pillar that the Church is often very specific when giving direction for sacraments, but is usually less specific about sacramentals like ashes.
The English translation specifies the ashes should be placed “on the head.”ĭr. The Roman Missal says that the priest “places ashes” on those who come forward for them.
The Church’s ritual texts are not especially specific about how ashes are to be distributed. In others, he drops the ash from a few inches away. In Ireland, priests sometimes use a cork carved with a cross design, using it like a stamp on the foreheads of Catholics.Ĭountries that “sprinkle” have some variety too - in some countries, the priest puts his ash-covered thumb on the crown of the head. Being marked with ash is meant as a blessed reminder of our mortality, our judgment, and our need for conversion.īut how the marking actually happens is a matter of considerable variety.Įven in countries that customarily trace a cross upon the forehead, some priests trace a distinct and clearly delineated cross, while others make a simple smudge with their thumbs. And everywhere, Lent begins when Catholics are marked with ash, and urged to turn from sin, repent, and follow Christ.Īshes are not sacraments, but they are sacramentals- signs of the sacred. Nigeria traces.Īsh Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent everywhere. But they sprinkle at the Vatican, and in Italy.