When did your parish distribute ashes: After the Prayers of the Faithful or After the Dismissal

[graceandglory]

The Creed is not said on Ash Wednesday (that is, it’s not supposed to be).

I did it after the Gospel/homily because that’s how it is described in the rubrics. I don’t like it that way because I have ashes on my right thumb, and that becomes a problem for the consecration. They get in the fingerprints and won’t come out.

I do think that after Mass is better (but in that case, the dismissal should be omitted “Go in peace…but wait, don’t leave yet, we’re doing the ashes”)

Ours are after the homily, before prayers of the faithful.

 

[beehumble]

I did my best to get them off. This year I tried something new–one of those pre-moistened finger towels (brand name “w-t ones”). It worked great because I didn’t have to go over to the sink, so it was much more discreet. I’ll be remembering that next year.

No matter what though, I always, every year, no matter how I try to wash my thumb, I get ashes on the Mass linens. Frustrating for me, and even more so for the kind woman who washes them.
Sometimes I think I could sandblast my thumb and I’d still get ashes on the chalice pall!

noxema (cold cream) is what stars of stage and screen have always used to remove gobs of makeup - I used it to remove my ashes and wiped the noxema off with a damp paper towel and it all came off with ease.

God bless you.

 

[prettiefly]

Sure. I’ve tried an actual sink with running water and soap. Those ashes just will not come out. They get “stuck” in the fingerprints on my thumb. I’m sure it happens to everyone–we just clean the thumbs as best we can and deal with it.

Our Chaplain uses a lemon to remove the ashes, after he has washed his hands.

Oh, and we had the ashes both before and after Mass, as some people showed up late. But we are a Traditional Latin Mass community, so I believe before the Mass is when it is supposed to be done according to the EF.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

The Creed is not said on Ash Wednesday (that is, it’s not supposed to be).

I did it after the Gospel/homily because that’s how it is described in the rubrics. I don’t like it that way because I have ashes on my right thumb, and that becomes a problem for the consecration. They get in the fingerprints and won’t come out.

I do think that after Mass is better (but in that case, the dismissal should be omitted “Go in peace…but wait, don’t leave yet, we’re doing the ashes”)

It was just like this in both Masses I attended today:thumbsup:

 

[paperwight66]

Have you considered a pitcher of water and bowl? This is what our priests (FSSP) did. One altar boy held the bowl, while the other poured the water from pitcher while each priest washed his hands. It seemed to work fine for them.

Actually, a priest new to our parish tried w*t ones for the first time this year, and said they were much better than a bowl and water. I was quite happy, as sacristan, as it was also easier for me and made the table less cluttered.

We have been using w*t ones for years in our parish, but he said he’s never been given the choice before.

 

[Joannm]

The Creed is not said on Ash Wednesday (that is, it’s not supposed to be).

I did it after the Gospel/homily because that’s how it is described in the rubrics. I don’t like it that way because I have ashes on my right thumb, and that becomes a problem for the consecration. They get in the fingerprints and won’t come out.

I do think that after Mass is better (but in that case, the dismissal should be omitted “Go in peace…but wait, don’t leave yet, we’re doing the ashes”)

Father we have always find that baby wipes work great for getting the ashes off fingers. We kept a plastic bag with a few of them on the credence table and the server brought one to the priest after he distributed the ashes. The rest of the ministers went into the sacristy to wash their hands.

 

[MissRose73]

The church I attended did so after the homily but before the Intercessions as we had a Mass. Some churches just did Liturgy of the Word and Ashes only, but I was able to go to Mass instead as I was able to get a half day off work to go early in the day before the bad weather hit my area.

 

[bscastro]

Our Assistant Pastor delivered a fire and brimstone of a homily, mainly focusing on the Gospel. (He always preaches best on Ash Wednesday…Is that a Franciscan thing?) He talked about how the ashes are a sign of repentance…that they are a sign that we intend to amend our lives and live faithfully to the Gospel. Best quote of the homily: “If you are here to get ashes on your forehead but have no intent of going to Mass this Sunday or the next, then you should leave. In fact, ran as far away from this Church as fast as you can because you are insulting God.”

I think he was annoyed last year when a lot of people left after the distribution of the ashes. I think that is why he moved the distribution to after Mass. He even said at the beginning of Mass: “We will distribute ashes after Mass. If you want to receive ashes, you are going to have to stay through the whole Mass.”

Wow! I’m a little surprised (although I shouldn’t be) that people would leave right after the ashes. I almost want to say to these people (kind of like the people who leave right after communion before the dismissal) “No one’s forcing you to be here!”

In any case, I should be charitable, I used to be a leave-right-after-communion person before getting more into my faith.

Side note: I received the ashes after the homily.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[mcmitton]

Ashes were distributed after the homily.

The priest and EMHCs left the nave to wash their hands, returned, and mass continued as specified.

 

[superamazingman]

The Creed is not said on Ash Wednesday (that is, it’s not supposed to be).

I did it after the Gospel/homily because that’s how it is described in the rubrics. I don’t like it that way because I have ashes on my right thumb, and that becomes a problem for the consecration. They get in the fingerprints and won’t come out.

I do think that after Mass is better (but in that case, the dismissal should be omitted “Go in peace…but wait, don’t leave yet, we’re doing the ashes”)

We also had it after the homily (as prescribed by the Missal), then followed with the offertory. We should have had the universal prayer after the ashes, but neither celebrant or myself realized this until the middle of the offertory. Far to late, by then.

After the Homily, the Priest, standing with hands joined, [blesses the ashes]. …]
After the distribution of ashes, the Priest washes his hands and proceeds to the Universal Prayer, and continues the Mass in the usual way.
The Creed is not said.
-Roman Missal, P. 210-211

 

[insideitall]

the parish we went to had an ashes only service earlier in the evening (but my husband wasn’t home from work yet). I’ve only ever seen ashes given out after the homily. since it’s not a holy day, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with leaving after receiving ashes. I don’t like when people leave right after communion, though (any time) - if you’re staying for mass, you should stay at least until the dismissal.

I do get annoyed that many parishes don’t bother to cut back on music or the homily for these masses (and other holy days). people are either rushing to get to work in the morning, or rushing at lunch, or exhausted after work and then have to sit through at least an hour long mass at 7 or 7 30 that night, often times with kids. no wonder they leave early!

 

[FrDavid96]

Dear friends,

I appreciate all the helpful comments about how to remove the ashes from one’s thumb. But at the same time, please let’s not derail this thread by getting us off-topic. It might be a helpful topic of discussion here at CAF for people to swap ideas and experiences, but just not within this particular thread.

I mentioned removing the ashes because that was in the context of expressing a personal opinion that I would rather have the distribution of ashes after Mass instead of at some point before the Consecration. That’s just a personal opinion and nothing more. The rubrics say what they say.

 

[Deo_Gratias42]

the parish we went to had an ashes only service earlier in the evening (but my husband wasn’t home from work yet). I’ve only ever seen ashes given out after the homily. since it’s not a holy day, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with leaving after receiving ashes. I don’t like when people leave right after communion, though (any time) - if you’re staying for mass, you should stay at least until the dismissal.

That’s one of the nice things about Ash Wednesday in the EF. Because the ashes are distributed before Mass even begins, you’re free to leave without looking obvious. Our priest even made an announcement that people were free to leave after receiving ashes citing work schedules, etc.

I do get annoyed that many parishes don’t bother to cut back on music or the homily for these masses (and other holy days). people are either rushing to get to work in the morning, or rushing at lunch, or exhausted after work and then have to sit through at least an hour long mass at 7 or 7 30 that night, often times with kids. no wonder they leave early!

Again, the EF low Mass is a great thing. No music, and father opted to not give a homily despite it being a 1st class feast. He also had the other priest helping to distribute ashes so it took half the time to get through that. The whole thing took just under 40 minutes or so.

 

[FrDavid96]

We do also need to keep in mind that priests can distribute ashes all day on Ash Wednesday. The proper thing to do, from a pastoral perspective, is to schedule a liturgical service and do the ashes within that service (whether that’s a Mass or a liturgy of the Word); but this is not an absolute must. Ashes can be given anytime.

 

[anp1215]

We do also need to keep in mind that priests can distribute ashes all day on Ash Wednesday. The proper thing to do, from a pastoral perspective, is to schedule a liturgical service and do the ashes within that service (whether that’s a Mass or a liturgy of the Word); but this is not an absolute must. Ashes can be given anytime.

Yes, I believe St. Patrick Cathedral in New York distributes ashes continuously from 7 am to 7 pm, in addition to the distribution at their many daily Masses.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

Sure. I’ve tried an actual sink with running water and soap. Those ashes just will not come out. They get “stuck” in the fingerprints on my thumb. I’m sure it happens to everyone–we just clean the thumbs as best we can and deal with it.

Like I wrote earlier, it wasn’t too bad this year—I think the little hand towelette works well because I can “rub” the ashes out instead of just letting the water/soap do its thing.

It’s just one of those things. I just feel bad about it because it does mess up the alter linens.

Anyway, I don’t want to derail the thread, so I’ll leave it at that.

I use one of those fingernail scrub brushes all over my thumb, works like a charm so far.

 

[paperwight66]

I use one of those fingernail scrub brushes all over my thumb, works like a charm so far.

Just an idle curiosity thing, perhaps, but why are the ashes given via the thumb, in particular? Why aren’t they drawn on with the index finger, for instance?

 

[DeniseNY]

We do also need to keep in mind that priests can distribute ashes all day on Ash Wednesday. The proper thing to do, from a pastoral perspective, is to schedule a liturgical service and do the ashes within that service (whether that’s a Mass or a liturgy of the Word); but this is not an absolute must. Ashes can be given anytime.

That’s what my parish does. Ashes are distributed in the lower chapel all day.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Ours were given out after the homily, but it was a Liturgy of the Word/Ashes rite. Our priest told us specifically that we were free to go after receiving ashes, that there would be no blessing so no reason to hang around.

 

[insideitall]

I would assume it’s done with the thumb because it’s a more natural position for your hand to be in. seems like it’d be quite uncomfortable to have your wrist at the weird angle formed while using the index finger for the whole line of people…

I guess people with extremely short nails could use their index fingertip instead of the pad, but for most people their nails are probably in the way.