Mass on Ash Wednesday question

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Hi. I was wondering, because I am new to Catholic practices, at what point during Ash Wednesday Mass are ashes distributed? I ask because I don’t go up for communion yet until the Easter Vigil. Are ashes distributed before, after or during communion?
Thank you.
 
Usually, right after the homily. And, unlike Communion, you should go up to receive ashes.
 
Agreed, typically right after the homily.

However, in my former parish which was HUGE, the priest deferred it to after communion and final blessing so that people could receive ashes and leave as it was very lengthy. Not sure if that was permissible or not, just saying that YMMV and where it is supposed to be during mass may not be where it actually is when the OP goes to mass.

OP-- just listen for instructions and it is perfectly fine for you to receive ashes.
 
Usually at the end of the homily here as well-- and they’re available for anyone who wants them. 💚
 
After the homily.

All are welcome to receive this sacramental, whether Catholic or not.

Deacon Christopher

PS: If you get lucky you might hear the better and rarer prayer of imposition, “turn away from sin, and believe in the Gospel,” instead of the much more common, “remember that you are dust…”
 
If you’re super-lucky, you get a priest who mixes his ashes with chrism, instead of holy water… The last time that happened, I spent the rest of the day trying to smell my own forehead. 😛
 
Diaconia said:
If you get lucky you might hear the better and rarer prayer of imposition, “turn away from sin, and believe in the Gospel,” instead of the much more common, “remember that you are dust…”
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Keep in mind that some folks like the traditional prayer, and aren’t fond of your personal favorite. 😉
 
My favorite comes from Mark’s Gospel - so I think it’s better in that way too! 🙂
 
I am on my parish’s liturgy committee and we just discussed this when planning for Lent. Our pastor decided (after the discussion) to have it after the final blessing. Part of the reason was that we have people who will leave after they get their ashes whenever that is during the Mass.

Because of the size of the parish we will have 2 Liturgy of the Word services with ashes distributed in addition to the Mass so that if you do not want to go to Mass but want ashes, They are an option. If you come to Mass, stay for the whole Mass.

Patrick
AMDG
 
Must one be clergy to distribute ashes? My parents are mainly homebound. Depending on the weather, and if they’re having a good day I can get them out of the house for essential appointments. Last year I winged it and gave them ashes from palm I burned myself, and said a prayer over. I guess I just ask the priest when I see him at First Friday mass tomorrow.
 
s.cono said:
Must one be clergy to distribute ashes? My parents are mainly homebound. Depending on the weather, and if they’re having a good day I can get them out of the house for essential appointments. Last year I winged it and gave them ashes from palm I burned myself, and said a prayer over. I guess I just ask the priest when I see him at First Friday mass tomorrow.
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From Msgr. Peter Elliot’s Ceremonies of the Liturgical Year (102):
as noted, where necessary, the deacon, concelebrants, other priests and deacons and, where permitted by the bishop, delegated laity may also impose ashes.
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This pertains to the imposition of ashes within the liturgy. Outside of it, I would simply talk to your priest about it.

Nevertheless, we are talking about the imposition of the ashes, not the blessing of them, which is a completely different matter. Not only must they be blessed within the liturgy, the blessing itself is reserved for priests and deacons. The following rubrics can be read from the Roman Ritual (Liturgical Year : Prayers : Book of Blessings: Blessing and Distribution of Ashes | Catholic Culture).
 
Thanks for your reply. I’ll ask father tomorrow.

The reason I tried doing it myself last year is that I walked in to check on them and saw that they drew crosses on each other’s foreheads with black markers. It was comical. But I got them cleaned up and burned some blessed palm from the previous Palm Sunday, and crossed their foreheads with the ashes. They were happy.
 
No worries, I wasn’t being critical. It’s certaily better than nothing!
 
The Roman Missal has for Ash Wednesday:

“ Blessing and Distribution of Ashes

After the Homily, the Priest standing with hands joined, says:”

Some rubrics are:

“Then the Priest places ashes on the head of all those present who come to him, and says to each one:”

The rubrics at the end are:

“Another appropriate chant may also be sung.

After the distribution of ashes, the Priest washes his hands and proceeds to the Universal Prayer, and continues Mass in the usual way.

The Creed is not said.”

[Excerpts from the English translation of the Roman Missal © 2010 International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.]
 
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