Catholic devotees wearing protective masks fall in line to have their head sprinkled with ash during Ash Wednesday services at a church on Feb. 26, 2020 in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The Philippines Catholic Church had recommended
sprinkling ash on the heads of devotees, rather than the usual practice of rubbing it on foreheads, to avoid physical contact as a precaution against COVID-19. COURTESY OF EZRA ACAYAN/GETTY IMAGES
Ash distribution to look different this year, but still serves as reminder of Christ’s Passion, Death, Resurrection
BY LAUREN JOHNSON, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Ash Wednesday is one of the most highly-attended liturgies of the year. Sacramentals, like blessed ashes, are important to our Catholic faith because they are meant to serve as external aids that lead us further sanctification—a deeper conformity of our lives to Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. Receiving ashes serves that purpose well because it reminds us of our mortality and need for the Gospel. When we receive ashes, we are reminded of that meaning when we hear either “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Roman Missal, “Blessing and Distribution of Ashes”).
The ritual use of ashes is not new. Putting ashes on the head is an ancient penitential practice that is found throughout the Old Testament. For example, in 1 Maccabees the community “fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their garments” (1 Maccabees 3:47). Evidence of this practice is also found in the Church as early at 960 AD, which took place at the beginning of Lent just as it does now (“The Origins of the Liturgical Year,” Thomas J. Talley, p. 224).
While the Roman Missal (the large red book that contains the prayers and rubrics for the priest) never indicates that ashes are to be signed on the forehead with the Sign of the Cross (but rather that the priest “places ashes on the head” [(Roman Missal, “Blessing and Distribution of Ashes”]), this has become a popular custom in English-speaking countries because of the visible sign that is left. This custom is thought to have begun with women for practical purposes because they had to keep their heads covered in church. Rather than having ashes sprinkled on their veils, it would be imposed on their foreheads. However, sprinkling of ashes on the crown of the head is still use in Italy and other countries around the world. Regardless of how one receives ashes, the meaning remains the same, to be “disposed toward conversion and renewed Easter commitment” (“Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy Principles and Guidelines,” §125).
By now we have become accustomed to adapting our liturgical traditions for safety during this pandemic. This year on Ash Wednesday, while we will be changing our local custom of how we receive ashes by instead having them sprinkled on the crown of our head, this will not a break in the tradition of the Catholic Church. Rather, we will be doing what Rome does! Our regular practice is expected to resume next year. Until then, may the differences in Ash Wednesday 2021 serve to remind us that it is not what is seen on the outside that counts (like ashes on the forehead), but that we are to humble ourselves and allow Christ to conform us more closely to His Passion, Death, and Resurrection as we prepare for the joy of Easter.
Lauren Johnson is the co-coordinator of the Office of Worship in the Diocese of Owensboro. Learn more at owensborodiocese.org/worship.
Originally printed in the February 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
