Ash Wednesday
-
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a penitential time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare for Our Lord and Holy Redeemer, Jesus Christ’s saving work and contemplate the Paschal Mystery of His Passion, Death, & Resurrection.
Ash Wednesday
Masses with the distribution of ashes will be celebrated on Ash Wednesday, February 17th at 8:30 a.m. (following 7:30 a.m. Holy Hour with Adoration), 12:10 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. (following 6:30 p.m. Holy Hour with Adoration). We will also send out the YouTube Ash Wednesday in a Special Holy Redeemer Happenings on Ash Wednesday.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ashes will be distributed by sprinkling rather than smudging in order to limit the physical contact between the priest and the congregation. This directive comes from the Office of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in a letter detailing how Catholic priests are to distribute ashes. This will be the norm throughout the Archdiocese of Washington.
After blessing the ashes and sprinkling them with holy water in silence,
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 to dust you shall return”.
At that point, the priest cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask,
and distributes ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate,
he goes to those who are standing in their places.
He then sprinkles the ashes on each person’s head “without saying anything.”
As modeled by Pope Francis, the ashes are sprinkled above the individual’s head so that immediate physical contact is avoided. The sprinkling of ashes on the head is an ancient practice of the Church practiced year after year in many countries including in the Vatican City-State, in Italy, and in many other European countries.
Additionally, receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday is not obligatory, and any of the faithful who are uncomfortable being in close proximity with the priest to receive ashes can remain in their seats during the imposition of ashes.
Are you homebound? Would you like to have someone visit your home to pray with you and to give you ashes? Please contact Marie in the Parish Office at 301-474-3920 to set this up.
