ACI Prensa Staff, Feb 14, 2024 / 04:30 am
At the Mass that marks the beginning of the season of Lent, which serves as preparation for Easter, the priest and the ministers who assist him say one of two possible formulas as they place ashes on the foreheads of the faithful present, even non-Catholics who want to receive them.
The Roman Missal states that “the minister then places the ashes on those who come forward, saying: ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’ (cf. Mk 1:15) or ‘Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return’ (cf. Gn 3:19).”
What do you do after receiving the ashes?
There is no specified response or action for the penitent after receiving the ashes, so it is a moment to silently meditate on what the priest or minister said.