TO: ALL DIOCESAN AND RELIGIOUS CLERGY

IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CEBU

MEMORANDUM ON THE LITURGICAL CELEBRATION OF ASH WEDNESDAY

On the Wednesday before the first Sunday of Lent, the faithful receive the ashes, thus entering
into the time established for the purification of their souls. This sign of penance, a traditionally biblical
one, has been preserved among the Church's customs until the present day. It signifies the human
condition of the sinner, who seeks to express his guilt before the Lord in an exterior manner, and by so
doing express his interior conversion, led on by the confident hope that the Lord will be merciful. This
same sign marks the beginning of the way of conversion, which is developed through the celebration
of the sacraments of penance during the days before Easter. The blessing and imposition of ashes
should take place either in the Mass or outside of the Mass. In the latter case, it is to be part of a liturgy
of the word and conclude with the prayer of the faithful. Ash Wednesday is to be observed as a day of
penance in the whole Church, one of both abstinence and fasting. (Paschale Solemnitatis, 21, 22)

POINTERS

1. During the Mass of Ash Wednesday, the Penitential Act is omitted, and the Distribution of
Ashes takes its place although it is celebrated after the homily.

2. Ashes are blessed and distributed after the homily according to the Roman Missal. These ashes
are of palms blessed in the previous year. The ordinary minister for the blessing of ashes is a
priest or deacon. Others (e.g. Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion) may assist with the
distribution/imposition of ashes where there is genuine need.

3. The formulae used while distributing/imposing the ashes on the foreheads of the faithful are
found in the Roman Missal.

4. After the distribution of ashes, the Priest washes his hands and proceeds to the Universal
Prayer, and continues the Mass in the usual way.

5. The Creed is not said. Eucharistic Prayer II may be said using Preface III or IV of Lent.

6. Attached is a copy of the rite of burning of palms both in English and in Vernacular.

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INSTRUCTIONS

1. The rite of blessing and distribution of ashes forms part of the liturgical celebration of Ash
Wednesday and therefore ashes are NOT to be blessed and distributed/imposed after the Mass
or even after Communion. Priests are encouraged to announce this in their parishes on Sunday
before Ash Wednesday so that the people can come to church early.

2. The distribution of ashes on the succeeding days is not in keeping with the tradition of Lent in
relation to Ash Wednesday. This is considered as an abuse and lack of liturgical sensitivity.

3. On the imposition of ashes, one way is by sprinkling the ashes on the head of the faithful. For
those among the faithful who wish to have the ashes on their forehead, another way is the
normal way of applying ashes on their forehead without using cotton balls.

4. When circumstances require, the order of blessing and distribution of ashes may take place
apart from Mass, during the celebration of the word of God. This order may be used when
ashes are brought to the sick during Ash Wednesday only. The order is as follows: introductory
rite, opening prayer, reading of the Word of God, prayer of blessing, distribution of ashes,
intercessions, the Lord’s Prayer, concluding rite. This rite may be celebrated by a priest or a
deacon who may be assisted by lay ministers in the distribution of the ashes. (Book of
Blessings, Chapter 52)

5. Organists and choirs are to be well instructed and oriented to use the antiphons found in the
Roman Missal during the distribution of ashes. They are to be taught that in the liturgy, they are
not just to sing anything.

6. Priests are to celebrate the rites of the Church properly and correctly as it is laid down in our
liturgical books. To faithfully celebrate them as instructed by the liturgical law and not to
celebrate them according to ones preference or reason. Please be reminded of the instruction
from the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy no.22, 3: “Therefore no other person, even if he be
a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority”. Priests
need to read the ordo, the introductions, and rubrics of a particular liturgical celebration. Lay
people should not be the ones to remind priests on what is the correct liturgical rite. Priests
should celebrate the correct liturgical rites that the people deserves.

Please be guided accordingly. That in all things God may be glorified.

Respectfully Yours,

REV. FR. GLENN Q. GUANZON

Director, Commission on Worship of Cebu
February 2022

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RITE OF BURNING OF PALMS

PALMS TO ASHES ~ IN PREPARATION FOR LENT

A fire pit is prepared at the church grounds or outside the church door before the Prayer Service begins. A
container is also prepared to gather the palms from the faithful that are to be burned. Another container is
prepared to place the ashes of the palms which are to be used in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. This prayer
service is done on the evening of Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

GREETING AND SIGN OF THE CROSS

In the name of the Father, ✠ the Son, and Holy Spirit.

R. Amen.

The Lord be with you.

R. And with your spirit.

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray.
God of tender mercy,
you fashioned us from the dust of earth
and bid us follow your Gospel call
in the company of the Church.
Look on us with kindness as we prepare the ashes
which will mark the beginning of our Lenten journey.
Grant that we who make the desert pilgrimage
might come to the font of rebirth with a renewed passion for justice.
May our alms serve your people and bring us peace,
may prayer sanctify all our deeds,
and may we come at last to the table you set in the place
where you reign with Christ and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.

R. Amen.

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READING
Isaiah 58:5-10

A reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah.

Is this the manner of fasting I would choose,

a day to afflict oneself?
To bow one’s head like a reed,
and lie upon sackcloth and ashes?
Is this what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?

Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose:

releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke;
setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry,
bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house;
clothing the naked when you see them,
and not turning your back on your own flesh?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,

and your wound shall quickly be healed;
your vindication shall go before you,
and the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer,
you shall cry for help, and he will say: “Here I am!”

If you remove the yoke from among you, the accusing finger,
and malicious speech, if you lavish your food on the hungry
and satisfy the afflicted; then your light shall rise in the darkness,
and your gloom shall become like midday.

The word of the Lord.

R. Thanks be to God.

After the reading, a brief reflection may be said.

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PSALMS AND BURNING OF THE ASHES

Palms are placed on burning wood the fire pit.

BLESSING OF ASHES

The ritual concludes with the Blessing of the Ashes.

Lord bless these ashes ✠

by which we will show 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 forever and ever.

Pause in silence while palms burn.

And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on you and remain with you for ever.

R. Amen.

Go in the peace of Christ.

R. Thanks be to God.

                            

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu

ARCHDIOCESAN COMMISSION ON WORSHIP
ARCHDIOCESAN LITURGICAL COMMISSION

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                             

RITE OF BURNING OF PALMS

PALMS TO ASHES ~ IN PREPARATION FOR LENT

A fire pit is prepared at the church grounds or outside the church door before the Prayer Service begins. A
container is also prepared to gather the palms from the faithful that are to be burned. Another container is
prepared to place the ashes of the palms which are to be used in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday. This prayer
service is done on the evening of Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

GREETING AND SIGN OF THE CROSS

Sa ngalan sa Amahan, ✠ ug sa Anak, ug sa Espiritu Santo.

R. Amen.

Ang Ginoo maanaa kaninyo.

R. Maanaa usab kanimo.

OPENING PRAYER

Mag-ampo kita.
Malumo ug maluluy-ong Dios,
imo kaming gilalang gikan sa abo ug giamandoan mo kami
sa pagsunod sa tawag sa imong Ebanghelyo uban sa Simbahan.
Sa imong kaluoy sud-onga kami sa among pagpangandam
niining abo nga maoy nagtimaan
sa sinugdanan sa among panaw panahon sa Kwaresma.
Itugot nga kami nga nagapanaw niining kamingawan
makadangat nianang tuburan sa bag-ong kadasig alang sa kaangayan.
Ang among pag-ampo magabalaan unta sa tanan namong mga buhat
aron sa kataposan makatambong kami nianang talad kan-anan
nga imong ihikyad diin ikaw nagahari
uban ni Cristo ug sa Espiritu Santo hangtod sa kahangtoran.

R. Amen.

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READING
Isaiah 58:5-10

Kinutlo gikan sa basahon ni Propeta Isaias.

Mao ba kining matanga sa pagpuasa ang makalipay kanako?

Mao ba kini ang tinuod nga pagpaubos?
Igo na ba ang pagduko sa inyong ulo ingon sa bugang,
ug sa pagbanig og sako ug abo?

Mao ba kini ang gitawag ninyog puasa, nga kahimut-an sa GINOO?”

“Ang puasa nga akong gikinahanglan mao ang paglugtab sa mga gapos
sa sala ug pagtangtang sa higot sa yugo,
ingon man sa paghatag og kagawasan sa mga dinaugdaog,
ug pagbali sa tanang yugo.
Dili ba ang puasa nga akong gikinahanglan
mao man nga hatagan ninyog pagkaon ang mga gigutom,
ug papuy-on ninyo sa inyong balay ang mga kabus nga walay puloy-anan;
ug nga bistihan ninyo ang hubo inay pasagdan ninyo
ang inyong kaigsuonan?”

“Sa ingon, modan-ag ang inyong kahayag

ingon sa banagbanag sa kabuntagon, ug mamaayo kamo pagdali;
maggiya kaninyo ang inyong katarong,
ug sa inyong luyo panalipdan kamo sa himaya sa GINOO.”

“Kon mosangpit kamo sa GINOO, tubagon kamo niya;

kon magpakitabang kamo, dili kamo niya balibaran.”
“Kon likayan ninyo ang pagdaugdaog,
ang pagtulisok ug ang dautang pulong, ug pakan-on ninyo ang gigutom,
ug hatagan ang mga kabus sa ilang gikinahanglan,
mosidlak ang inyong kahayag diha sa kangitngit,
ug ang inyong kangitngit mahisama sa kahayag sa udtong tutok.”

The pulong sa Ginoo.

R. Salamat sa Dios.

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 After the reading, a brief reflection may be said.

PSALMS AND BURNING OF THE ASHES

Palms are placed on burning wood in the fire pit.

BLESSING OF ASHES

The ritual concludes with the Blessing of the Ashes.

Ginoo, bendisyoni kining mga abo ✠

nga maoy nagpadayag nga kami abo.
Pasayloa ang among mga sala ug himoa kaming masibot
sa pagtuman sa mga buluhaton sa panahon sa Kwaresma
kay dili ka man buot nga ang mga makasasala mamatay
hinuon mabuhi uban sa nabanhawng Cristo,
kinsa nagahari uban kanimo hangtod sa kahangtoran.

Pause in silence while palms burn.

Ug ang panalangin sa makagagahom nga Dios,

ang Amahan, ug ang Anak, ✠ ug ang Espiritu Santo,
mokunsad unta kaninyo ug magpabilin uban kaninyo
hangtod sa kahangtoran.

R. Amen.

Lakaw kamo diha sa kalinaw ni Cristo.

R. Salamat Sa Dios.

                            

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu

ARCHDIOCESAN COMMISSION ON WORSHIP
ARCHDIOCESAN LITURGICAL COMMISSION

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