The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments issued a note on January 12, instructing priests to say the formula for distributing the ashes once to all present, rather than to each person.
VATICAN – The Vatican on Tuesday gave instructions on how priests can distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments published a note on January 12, instructing priests to say the formula for distributing the ashes once to all present, rather than to each person.
The priest “addresses all those present and says once the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general:” Repent and believe in the gospel “or” Remember that you are dust and to dust you will come back, “the note said.
He continued: “The priest then cleans his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if necessary, goes to those who sit in their places. The priest took the ashes and sprinkled them on everyone’s head without saying anything. “
The note was signed by the congregation’s prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, and its secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche.
Ash Wednesday falls on February 17 this year.
In 2020, the congregation of divine worship gave various instructions to priests regarding the administration of the sacraments and the offering of the Liturgy during the coronavirus pandemic, including the celebration of Easter, which took place when many countries were closed and public liturgies were not allowed.