Ash Wednesday Master Guide

Introductory Rites turn to God,

to be conformed more and more to crucified Lord.
ENTRANCE
After the people have assembled, the presider and the OPENING PRAYER
ministers go to the altar while the entrance song is being With hands joined, the presider says
sung. Let us pray.
Everyone prays silently for a while. Then, the presider
extends his hands and says the prayer

L
Entrance Antiphon ord, protect us in our struggle against evil.
Wis 11. 24-25. 27
As we begin the discipline of Lent,
Lord, you are merciful to all, and hate nothing you
have created. make this day holy by our self-denial.
You overlook the sins of men to bring them to Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your
repentance. Son,
You are the Lord our God. who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
or one God, for ever and ever.
Let us all rejoice in the Lord, for our Savior is born to or
the world.
True peace has descended from heaven. F ather in heaven,
the light of your truth bestows sight
to the darkness of sinful eyes.
The presider goes to the chair and all remain standing and May this season of repentance
make the sign of the cross as the presider says bring us the blessing of your forgiveness
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of and the gift of your light.
the Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
The people answer The people answer
Amen. Amen.
GREETING LITURGY OF THE WORD
The presider, facing the people, extends his hands and
greets all present with Introduction to Reading I
The commentator says
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The prophet calls Gods people to conversion
and the love of God
as individuals and as a community.
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you
We are called to return to Gods mercy and love.
all.
The people answer Reading I Jl 2:12-18
And also with you. The Lector proceeds with the proclamation.
A reading from the book of the prophet Joel.
Introduction to the Celebration
The presider or another minister introduces the Mass
Today/tonight, we start the discipline of Lent Even now, says the LORD,
we start our journey as a community with Jesus return to me with your whole heart,
Christ, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning;
to his Passion, Death and Resurrection the Rend your hearts, not your garments,
mystery of our salvation. and return to the LORD, your God.
This season calls us to prayer, fasting and For gracious and merciful is he,
almsgiving, slow to anger, rich in kindness,
to be more attentive to the Word of God, and relenting in punishment.
to spiritual renewal, to penance, Perhaps he will again relent
and to reconcile with God and our neighbor. and leave behind him a blessing,
Today we will be putting ashes on our foreheads, Offerings and libations
as a sign of our commitment to recall our baptism for the LORD, your God.
and how much we have failed in our baptismal
vows, Blow the trumpet in Zion!
and as a sign of our desire to change our ways and proclaim a fast,
call an assembly;
 Gather the people, The lector says the verse
notify the congregation; Give me back the joy of your salvation,
Assemble the elders, and a willing spirit sustain in me.
gather the children O Lord, open my lips,
and the infants at the breast; and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Let the bridegroom quit his room All say
and the bride her chamber. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Between the porch and the altar Introduction to Reading II
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep, The commentator says
And say, Spare, O LORD, your people, God always gives us the opportunity to change
and make not your heritage a reproach, and come back to him.
with the nations ruling over them! Saint Paul implores us to turn our hearts back to
Why should they say among the peoples, God
Where is their God? for now is the acceptable time to do so.

Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his Reading II 1 Cor 5:20 - 6:2
land The lector proceeds with the proclamation.
and took pity on his people. A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to
the Corinthians.
The Word of the Lord.
The people answer Brothers and sisters:
Thanks be to God. We are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
Responsorial Psalm We implore you on behalf of Christ,
PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17 be reconciled to God.
The lector says For our sake he made him to be sin who did not
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. know sin,
All say
so that we might become the righteousness of
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
God in him.
The lector says the verse
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
Working together, then,
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my
we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God
offense.
in vain.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
For he says:
and of my sin cleanse me.
All say
In an acceptable time I heard you,
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. and on the day of salvation I helped you.
The lector says the verse
For I acknowledge my offense, Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
and my sin is before me always: behold, now is the day of salvation.
Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight. The Word of the Lord.
All say The people answer
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. Thanks be to God.
The lector says the verse GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
A clean heart create for me, O God, The commentator signals the people for the gospel
and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Let us honor the Holy Gospel.
Cast me not out from your presence, The music ministry leads the people in singing the
and your Holy Spirit take not from me. appropriate song. The gospel acclamation must last until
All say the proclaimer has arrived at the ambo carrying the book of
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned. gospels.
GOSPEL Mt 6: 1-6. 16-18 And your Father who sees what is hidden will
The deacon/priest says or sings repay you.
The Lord be with you.
The people answer The Gospel of the Lord.
And also with you. The people answer
The deacon/priest says or sings Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to HOMILY
Matthew. The presider or the homilist gives the homily.
The people answer
Glory to you, Lord. Blessing and Giving of Ashes
All make the gospel sign. After the homily, the priest joins his hands and says:
The gospel is proclaimed. Dear friends in Christ,
Jesus said to his disciples: let us ask our Father to bless these ashes
Take care not to perform righteous deeds which we will use as the mark of our repentance.
in order that people may see them; Pause for silent prayer.
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your
heavenly Father. forgiveness and bless all those who receive
When you give alms, these ashes. May they keep this Lenten season
do not blow a trumpet before you, in preparation for the joy of Easter. We ask this
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the through Christ our Lord.
streets or
to win the praise of others. Lord, bless these ashes by which we show
Amen, I say to you, that we are dust. Pardon our sins and keep us
they have received their reward. faithful to the discipline of Lent, for you do not
But when you give alms, want sinners to die but to live with the risen
do not let your left hand know what your right is Christ, who reigns with you for ever and ever.
doing, He sprinkles the ashes with holy water in silence.
so that your almsgiving may be secret. The priest then places ashes on the crown of his head. The
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. priest places ashes on those who come forward, saying to
each:
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.
When you pray,
Or
do not be like the hypocrites,
Remember, man, you are dust
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and
and to dust you will return.
on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you,
they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room,
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

When you fast,

do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their
reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
Meanwhile some of the following antiphons or appropriate O rescue me, God my helper,
songs are sung. and my tongue shall ring our Your goodness.
Antiphon 1 O Lord, open my lips
Come back to the Lord with all your heart; and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
leave the past in ashes,
and turn to God with tears and fasting, For in sacrifice You take no delight,
for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive. burnt offering from me You would refuse,
my sacrifice, a contrite spirit.
Antiphon 2 A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn.
Let the priests and ministers of the Lord
lament before his altar, and say: In Your goodness, show favor to Zion:
Spare us, Lord; spare your people! rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Do not let us die for we are crying out to you. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,
Antiphon 3 holocausts offered on Your altar.
Lord, take away our wickedness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
These may be repeated after each verse of Psalm 51. Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on me, God in Your kindness. as it was in the beginning is now and will be for
In Your compassion blot out my offense. ever. Amen.
O wash me more and more from my guilt RESPONSORY
and cleanse me from my sin. Direct our hearts to better things, O Lord:
heal our sin and ignorance.
My offenses truly I know them; Lord, do not face us suddenly with death,
my sin is always before me. but give us time to repent.
Against You, You alone, have I sinned;
what is evil in Your sight I have done. R. Turn to us with mercy, Lord; we have sinned
against you.
That You may be justified when You give sentence V. Help us, God our Savior, rescue us for the
and be without reproach when You judge. honor of your name.
O see, in guilt I was born, R. Turn to us with mercy, Lord; we have sinned
a sinner was I conceived. against you.
After the giving of ashes, the priest washes his hands; the
Indeed You love truth in the heart; rite concludes with the general intercessions.
then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. The profession of faith is not said.
O purify me, then I shall be clean;
O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,

that the bones You have crushed may revive.
From my sins turn away Your face
and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit.

Give me again the joy of Your help;

with a spirit of fervor sustain me,
that I may teach transgressors Your ways
and sinners may return to You.
Prayer of the faithful Liturgy of the Eucharist
The presider invites the people to pray
My brothers and sisters, we should pray at all PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
The presider says
times,
Pray brethren* that our sacrifice may be
but especially during this season of Lent:
acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
we should faithfully keep watch with Christ
The people answer
and pray to our Father, let us say:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands,
LORD, HAVE MERCY.
for the praise and glory of his name, for our
The intentions are said at the ambo.
good, and the good of all his Church.
1. That Christians everywhere may be responsive
The presider extends his hands and says

L
to the Word of God during this holy season,
ord, help us to resist temptation by our lenten
we pray to the Lord:
works of charity and penance. By this
2. That people everywhere may work for peace to
sacrifice may we be prepared to celebrate the
make these days the acceptable time of Gods
death and resurrection of Christ our Savior
help and salvation, we pray to the Lord:
and be cleansed from sin and renewed in
3. That all who have sinned and grown lukewarm
spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
may turn to God again during this time of The people answer
reconciliation, we pray to the Lord: Amen.
4. That we ourselves may learn to repent and
turn away from sin with all our hearts, we pray EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
to the Lord: The presider says
5. For the intentions of our mission partners, The Lord be with you.
those who serve in our parish and those The people answer
who asked for our prayers by offering their And also with you.
intentions in this mass, we pray. The presider says
The presider concludes the prayer Lift up your hearts.
Lord, may your people turn again to you The people answer
and serve you with all their hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
The presider says
With confidence we have asked your help:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
may we now know your mercy and love in our
The people answer
lives.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The people answer Preface
Amen. Communion
If there is no song, the commentator says the antiphon
Ps 1, 2-3
The man who meditates day and night on the law of
the Lord
will yield fruit in due season.
Prayer after Communion
With hands joined, the presider says
Let us pray.
Everyone prays silently for a while.
Then, the presider extends his hands and says the prayer

L ord, through this communion, may our Lenten

penance give you glory and bring us your
protection. We ask this in the name of Jesus
the Lord.
The people answer Amen.
 CONCLUDING RITE
GREETING
The presider, facing the people, extends his hands and
greets all present with The Lord be with you.
The people answer And also with you.
BlessiNG
The presider blesses the people
May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit.
The people answer Amen.
DISMISSAL
The deacon/presider says
Go in the peace of Christ.
The people answer Thanks be to God.
Ash Wednesday Presider
ENTRANCE OPENING PRAYER
The presider goes to the chair and all remain standing and With hands joined, the presider says
make the sign of the cross as the presider says Let us pray.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of Everyone prays silently for a while. Then, the presider
the Holy Spirit. extends his hands and says the prayer
The people answer
GREETING
Amen.
L ord, protect us in our struggle against evil. As
we begin the discipline of Lent, make this
day holy by our self-denial. Grant this through
The presider, facing the people, extends his hands and
greets all present with
our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
The Lord be with you. reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever.
The people answer And also with you. or
Introduction to the Celebration
The presider or another minister introduces the Mass
Today/tonight, we start the discipline of Lent
F ather in heaven, the light of your truth bestows
sight to the darkness of sinful eyes. May this
season of repentance bring us the blessing
we start our journey as a community with Jesus of your forgiveness and the gift of your light.
Christ, Grant this through Christ our Lord.
to his Passion, Death and Resurrection the The people answer
mystery of our salvation. Amen.
This season calls us to prayer, fasting and After the Homily
almsgiving,
to be more attentive to the Word of God, Rite of imposition of ashes
to spiritual renewal, to penance, Blessing and Giving of Ashes
and to reconcile with God and our neighbor. After the homily, the priest joins his hands and says:
Today we will be putting ashes on our foreheads, Dear friends in Christ,
as a sign of our commitment to recall our baptism let us ask our Father to bless these ashes
and how much we have failed in our baptismal which we will use as the mark of our repentance.
vows, Pause for silent prayer.
and as a sign of our desire to change our ways and Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your
turn to God, forgiveness and bless all those who receive
to be conformed more and more to crucified Lord. these ashes. May they keep this Lenten season
in preparation for the joy of Easter. We ask this
THe act of penitence and the gloria
through Christ our Lord.
are omitted. or
[the rite of imposition of ashes is equivalent Lord, bless these ashes by which we show
to the act of penitence.] that we are dust. Pardon our sins and keep us
faithful to the discipline of Lent, for you do not
want sinners to die but to live with the risen
Christ, who reigns with you for ever and ever.
He sprinkles the ashes with holy water in silence.
The people answer
Amen.
The priest then places ashes on the crown of his head. The
priest places ashes on those who come forward, saying to
each:
Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.
Or
Remember, man, you are dust
and to dust you will return.
Prayer of the faithful CONCLUDING RITE
The presider invites the people to pray
My brothers and sisters, we should pray at all GREETING
The presider, facing the people, extends his hands and
times,
greets all present with The Lord be with you.
but especially during this season of Lent:
The people answer And also with you.
we should faithfully keep watch with Christ
and pray to our Father, let us say: BlessiNG
LORD, HAVE MERCY. The presider blesses the people
The intentions are said at the ambo. May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son
1. That Christians everywhere may be responsive and the Holy Spirit.
to the Word of God during this holy season, The people answer Amen.
we pray to the Lord:
2. That people everywhere may work for peace to
DISMISSAL
The deacon/presider says
make these days the acceptable time of Gods
Go in the peace of Christ.
help and salvation, we pray to the Lord:
The people answer Thanks be to God.
3. That all who have sinned and grown lukewarm
may turn to God again during this time of
reconciliation, we pray to the Lord:
4. That we ourselves may learn to repent and
turn away from sin with all our hearts, we pray
to the Lord:
5. For the intentions of our mission partners,
those who serve in our parish and those
who asked for our prayers by offering their
intentions in this mass, we pray.
The presider concludes the prayer
Lord, may your people turn again to you
and serve you with all their hearts.
With confidence we have asked your help:
may we now know your mercy and love in our
lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The people answer
Amen.
Ash Wednesday Lector

Reading I Jl 2:12-18 For I acknowledge my offense,

A reading from the book of the prophet Joel. and my sin is before me always:
Against you only have I sinned,
Even now, says the LORD, and done what is evil in your sight.
return to me with your whole heart, 3
with fasting, and weeping, and mourning; A clean heart create for me, O God,
Rend your hearts, not your garments, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
and return to the LORD, your God. Cast me not out from your presence,
For gracious and merciful is he, and your Holy Spirit take not from me.
slow to anger, rich in kindness, 4
and relenting in punishment. Give me back the joy of your salvation,
Perhaps he will again relent and a willing spirit sustain in me.
and leave behind him a blessing, O Lord, open my lips,
Offerings and libations and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
for the LORD, your God. Reading II 1 Cor 5:20 - 6:2
A reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to
Blow the trumpet in Zion! the Corinthians.
proclaim a fast,
call an assembly; Brothers and sisters:
Gather the people, We are ambassadors for Christ,
notify the congregation; as if God were appealing through us.
Assemble the elders, We implore you on behalf of Christ,
gather the children be reconciled to God.
and the infants at the breast; For our sake he made him to be sin who did not
Let the bridegroom quit his room know sin,
and the bride her chamber. so that we might become the righteousness of
Between the porch and the altar God in him.
let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep,
And say, Spare, O LORD, your people, Working together, then,
and make not your heritage a reproach, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God
with the nations ruling over them! in vain.
Why should they say among the peoples, For he says:
Where is their God? In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Then the LORD was stirred to concern for his
land Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
and took pity on his people. behold, now is the day of salvation.
The Word of the Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 12-13, 14 AND 17
Response
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
1
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my
offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
2
GOSPEL Mt 6: 1-6. 16-18 Prayer of the faithful
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to The presider invites the people to pray
Matthew. My brothers and sisters, we should pray at all
times,
Jesus said to his disciples: but especially during this season of Lent:
Take care not to perform righteous deeds we should faithfully keep watch with Christ
in order that people may see them; and pray to our Father, let us say:
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your LORD, HAVE MERCY.
heavenly Father. The intentions are said at the ambo.
When you give alms, 1. That Christians everywhere may be responsive
do not blow a trumpet before you, to the Word of God during this holy season,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the we pray to the Lord:
streets 2. That people everywhere may work for peace to
to win the praise of others. make these days the acceptable time of Gods
Amen, I say to you, help and salvation, we pray to the Lord:
they have received their reward. 3. That all who have sinned and grown lukewarm
But when you give alms, may turn to God again during this time of
do not let your left hand know what your right is reconciliation, we pray to the Lord:
doing, 4. That we ourselves may learn to repent and
so that your almsgiving may be secret. turn away from sin with all our hearts, we pray
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. to the Lord:
5. For the intentions of our mission partners,
When you pray, those who serve in our parish and those
do not be like the hypocrites, who asked for our prayers by offering their
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and intentions in this mass, we pray.
on street corners The presider concludes the prayer
so that others may see them. Lord, may your people turn again to you
Amen, I say to you, and serve you with all their hearts.
they have received their reward. With confidence we have asked your help:
But when you pray, go to your inner room, may we now know your mercy and love in our
close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. lives.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
The people answer
When you fast, Amen.
do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their
reward.
But when you fast,
anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will
repay you.

The Gospel of the Lord.