Non-priests giving out ashes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mgy100
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mgy100

Guest
At mass tonight there were two other people besides the priest giving out ashes. Is this allowable?
 
Yes, it is. If an EMHC can distribute a sacrament, of course they can distribute ashes.
 
Since our Priest is sick, tonight at my parish we had our Deacon and three Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion.
 
Hmm, sounds like besides EMsHC we now also have EMsA–Extraordinary Ministers of Ashes 😉

DaveBj
 
40.png
DaveBj:
Hmm, sounds like besides EMsHC we now also have EMsA–Extraordinary Ministers of Ashes 😉

DaveBj
Click to expand...
Dave,

Since ashes are a sacramental instead of a sacrament, anyone may give them. If they are given in a Mass it is normal for the clergy to do so, but they may be assisted by others.

Deacon Ed
 
Some years back, we had a pastor that insisted on giving out all the ashes on Ash Wednesday. After 1200 people, he had a sore arm. I think it took three days to get feeling back into it. The following years, he made sure he had help.

Deacon Tony
 
Deacon Ed:
Dave,

Since ashes are a sacramental instead of a sacrament, anyone may give them. If they are given in a Mass it is normal for the clergy to do so, but they may be assisted by others.

Deacon Ed
Click to expand...
I know, I know; I was just having a little fun. 😛

Oddly enough, there’s a group of usually 5 EMsHC that function at the Sat evening Mass that I usually attend, and that’s probably a good thing; Father is disabled, and there’s a pretty decent crowd on Sat evenings. However, Wednesday mornings it was just him and the associate pastor–two priests, no “civilian” help. And it took a while, too, 'cause all the kids from the school were there.

DaveBj
 
Our church had LOTS Of help because it’s so huge. Something like 500+ families.

But I was confused about 1 thing…the last time I recieved the ashed, the priest said, “from ashes you come and to ashed you will return” or something like that. It was quite meaningful for me, in any case.

This time the woman who gave me the ashes mumbled something about .“mmmmf gospel mmmff” :confused: :confused:

Very disappointing.

Is there something that is SUPPOSED to be said? Every year? Does it change?
 
I received mine from a deacon. As other said, it’s not a Sacrement, so whatever basically.
 
why not just give your self ashes at home if anyone can do it? in fact, who needs the mass. we can send the eucharist by mail to peoples’ homes and do confession on the internet. all we need are pastoral assistants.
 
40.png
JCPhoenix:
Our church had LOTS Of help because it’s so huge. Something like 500+ families.

But I was confused about 1 thing…the last time I recieved the ashed, the priest said, “from ashes you come and to ashed you will return” or something like that. It was quite meaningful for me, in any case.

This time the woman who gave me the ashes mumbled something about .“mmmmf gospel mmmff” :confused: :confused:

Very disappointing.

Is there something that is SUPPOSED to be said? Every year? Does it change?
Click to expand...
There are two fixed formulas:

“Remember man that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”

“Turn from sin and follow the Gospel.”

Deacon Ed
 
oat soda:
why not just give your self ashes at home if anyone can do it? in fact, who needs the mass. we can send the eucharist by mail to peoples’ homes and do confession on the internet. all we need are pastoral assistants.
Click to expand...
Now that’s so over the top it’s in orbit!
 
40.png
JCPhoenix:
Our church had LOTS Of help because it’s so huge. Something like 500+ families.

But I was confused about 1 thing…the last time I recieved the ashed, the priest said, “from ashes you come and to ashed you will return” or something like that. It was quite meaningful for me, in any case.

This time the woman who gave me the ashes mumbled something about .“mmmmf gospel mmmff” :confused: :confused:

Very disappointing.

Is there something that is SUPPOSED to be said? Every year? Does it change?
Click to expand...
Actually I was one of those EMHC’s who was pressed into ash duty. On my Mass assignment sheet, it was stated that we were to say either:

“Remember (man), you are dust, and to dust you shall return”
or
“Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel”

I verified this with one of our Deacons and he told me that the first was definitely the older and more traditional blessing, but both are acceptable today as per (I believe) the Book of Blessings.
 
Whoops, didn’t see Deacon Ed’s answer…he beat me to it again :tiphat:
 
Thank you Deacon AND mtr!

So she chose the 2nd option…I really wish I could have heard her. Instead of being prayerful I ended up feeling a bit disturbed, trying to figure out what she said.

This is my first Lent as a “real” Catholic. I never really “got it” before and now…wow.
 
40.png
JCPhoenix:
Thank you Deacon AND mtr!

So she chose the 2nd option…I really wish I could have heard her. Instead of being prayerful I ended up feeling a bit disturbed, trying to figure out what she said.

This is my first Lent as a “real” Catholic. I never really “got it” before and now…wow.
Click to expand...
Praise be to Jesus Christ! I’m glad you “get it” 🙂

As an aside, I was all geared up to say “remember you are dust…” because, at least for me, that reminds me that I am just a pilgrim here on earth, making my way to my heavenly homeland. However, Father used “turn from sin…” and everybody went with that (which is also an important thing to keep in mind during lent). I guess you could say I was a little disappointed for about a second 🙂
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top