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February 15, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Ash Wednesday is March 2, 2022. As we continue to navigate the pandemic, the following are guidelines for the distribution of ashes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Masks are worn by ministers and recipients during the distribution (follow your local health department instructions).
Option 1 – Application on the Forehead with the Thumb
After the blessing of the ashes, the minister marks the forehead of the recipient with ashes using the thumb saying, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”
Option 2 – Sprinkling over the Crown of the Head
After blessing the ashes, the priest says, only one time, one of the formulas found in the Roman Missal: “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The minister takes a pinch of ashes and sprinkles them over the head of the recipient without saying anything.
Option 3 – Sprinkling over the Crown of the Head
After the blessing of the ashes, the minister takes a pinch of ashes and sprinkles them over the head of the recipient saying, “Repent and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The blessing and imposition of ashes takes place only on Ash Wednesday, ordinarily during the celebration of the Eucharist. The Roman Missal contains the Rite for the Blessing of Ashes within Mass. The Order for the Blessing and Distribution of Ashes outside of Mass is found in the Book of Blessings. If the Eucharist is not celebrated, the blessing and distribution is to take place within the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. The minister for the blessing of ashes within the Mass is a bishop or priest. The minister for the blessing of ashes during a Liturgy of the Word is a bishop, priest, or deacon. Other persons may assist the bishop, priest, or deacon in the imposition of ashes (e.g. extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and other lay persons). However, these persons do not bless the ashes. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion may bring blessed ashes to the sick and those confined to their home. The reception of ashes is not an obligation of the faithful; anyone who is uncomfortable with the manner of distribution should not come forward.
The use of bottles for sprinkling ashes on the crown of the head is not allowed.
The Office for Divine Worship will distribute a Lenten and Holy Week resources through their mailing list. If you have not sign up to their emailing list, please click the link below.
https://laworship.flocknote.com/OFWMailingList
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laworship.flocknote.comFr. Juan J. Ochoa
Director of the Office for Divine Worship
Archdiocese of Los Angeles