Sprinkling Ashes?

[PatienceAndLove]

So… I went to Ash Wednesday mass today, and there was a visiting priest.
I was not in his line, but my parents were. And he sprinkled the ashes on their heads instead of the usual cross or “holy thumbprint” (you know, the ones where your neck snaps back)

I have been all over the Western Hemisphere, and I have never seen this. Anyone ever heard of this?

 

[emily13]

I was listening to the Vatican radio broadcast of the Ash Wednesday Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI and they noted that ashes were sprinkled on the head and that this might be foreign to those in English-speaking countries.

 

[benedictgal]

Actually, this tradition stretches back to 1,500 years when the Pope distributed ashes to the faithful at Santa Sabina. The custom, indeed, is to sprinkle the ashes on the heads of the faithful, which is what Pope Benedict XVI did this morning. In fact, I have the booklet from the Ash Wednesday Mass and the cover of the booklet is a medieval painting that shows the Holy Father sprinkling ashes on the heads of the faithful who kneel before him. Remember, too, that in ancient times, penitents had ashes on their heads and wore sackcloths.

I hope this helps.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Thanks for the explanation!

 

[BeeSweet]

Here’s a video of Pope Benedict XVI distributing ashes today.

 

[BigFeet]

Take a look at the video of Pope Benedict XVI from today (see the above post from BeeSweet!). He is not merely sprinkling ashes, he is making a distinct sign of the cross on the top of the recipient’s head with the ashes.

 

[Joannm]

Our priest from Malta says they sprinkle it on the head in his country.

 

[Elizabeth2]

Here’s a video of Pope Benedict XVI distributing ashes today.

Thanks for the amazing video Bee.

 

[tcraig]

When I lived in Italy, that is the way the ashes were distributed. As someone mentioned, they are sprinkled in the form of a cross.

 

[love4mary]

But I still love the Silent witness of the ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross.

“Why do you have dirt on your forehead?” Apologetics 101 is now set for take off.

 

[duskyjewel]

Does the sprinkling of ashes on the head have any relation to OT penance practices where they were described as sitting in the street, wearing sackcloth, and covering their heads in ashes?

Just wondering…

 

[Elizabeth2]

But I still love the Silent witness of the ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross.

“Why do you have dirt on your forehead?” Apologetics 101 is now set for take off.

I told this on the joke forum but it’s a true story. Two years ago I went into the local coffee shop for coffee (no donuts) on Ash Wednesday after going to Mass. The assistant took my order and then said “You have something on your forehead.” “Yes” I replied “it’s Ash Wednesday”. “Oh” she said airily (she was young) “I don’t know anything about that. I don’t smoke.” Unfortunately as she said it, she took off to fill my order and I was left speechless. That was an answer I wasn’t expecting and my mind went totally blank except for a smile.