For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Grant this through Christ our Lord.Ī reading from the book of the prophet Joel.Įven now, says the LORD, return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the LORD, your God. May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of your forgiveness and the gift of your light.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.įather in heaven,the light of your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful eyes. As we begin the discipline of Lent, make this day holy by our self-denial. Lord, protect us in our struggle against evil. Then, the presider extends his hands and says or sings The presider, with hands joined, sings or says:Įveryone pray silently for a while. Today/tonight, we start the discipline of Lent – we start our journey as a community with Jesus Christ, to his Passion, Death and Resurrection – the mystery of our salvation.This season calls us to prayer, fasting and almsgiving, to be more attentive to the Word of God, to spiritual renewal and penance.Today we will be putting ashes on our foreheads,as a sign of our commitment to recall our baptism and how much we have failed in our baptismal vows, and as a sign of our desire to change our ways and turn to God. In the name of the Father + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. You are the Lord our God.Įveryone remains standing and makes the sign of the cross, as the presider says You overlook the sins of men to bring them to repentance. Lord, you are merciful to all, and hate nothing you have created. If there is no song, the antiphon is said This may be done by a priest or a lay presider. Those who receive the ashes ought to listen to God’s Word before getting the ashes. This rite may be done on Ash Wednesday for those who cannot come to the church for Mass and for those who did not arrive on time for the Liturgy of the Word.

Who can do the imposition of ashes