The Congregation for Divine Adoration and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note on January 12, directing the priests to say the formula for spreading the ashes once to all in attendance, rather than to everyone.
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican on Tuesday gave advice on how priests can spread ashes on Ash Wednesday amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Congregation for Divine Adoration and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note on January 12, directing the priests to say the formula for spreading the ashes once to all in attendance, rather than to everyone.
Addressing all present, the priest “says only once the formula found in the Roman Missal, and applies it generally to everyone: ‘Repent and believe in the gospel’ or ‘Remember that you are dust and that your dust will return, ”the note said.
It continued: “The priest then cleans his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes the ashes among those who come to him or, if appropriate, go to those standing in their place. The priest takes the ashes and without saying anything scatters them on the head of each specimen. “
The note was signed by the prefect of the congregation, Cardinal Robert Sarah, and her secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche.
Ash Wednesday falls on February 17 this year.
In 2020, the divine worship congregation issued various instructions to priests about administering the sacraments and celebrating Mass during the coronavirus pandemic, including for the celebration of Easter, which took place when many countries were closed and public liturgies were not allowed.