BLESSING OF ASH

INTRODUCTORY RITES

Song: Come Back to Me

Priest: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Priest: The grace, the mercy and the peace of God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior
be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: My brothers and sisters, the hour of God’s favor draws near, the day of his mercy
and our salvation approaches, when death was destroyed and eternal life began.
As we begin this season of Lent we gather today to acknowledge that we are
sinners. As we express our sorrow, may God be merciful to us and restore us to
his friendship.

OPENING PRAYER

Priest: Let us pray

Father in heaven, the light of Your truth bestows sight to the darkness of sinful
eyes. May this season of repentance bring us the blessing of Your forgiveness
and the gift of Your light. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

READING OF THE WORD

Lector: A reading from the Book of the Prophet Joel (2:12-15)

Yet even 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.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and unrelenting in punishment.
Perhaps he will again relent
and leave behind him a blessing.
Offerings and libations
For the Lord, your God.

The Word of the Lord.

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 As circumstances suggest, the following responsorial psalm may be sung or any suitable song.

Response: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

(Psalm 51)
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. R.

For I acknowledge my offense,

And my sin is before me always;
“against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight”
That you may be justified in your sentence,
Vindicated when you condemn. R.

A clean heart create in me, O God,

And a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
And your holy spirit sustain in me. R.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,

And a willing spirit sustain in me. R.

O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth shall prolaim your praise. R.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

Priest: Let us pray

O God, turn your ears to those that abase themselves and give your favor to them
that offer atonement.
May you send your holy Angel from heaven to bless these palms and bring them
to the purifying fire of your loving mercy. That once burned and cleansed from
all impurities, we may usefully use as a wholesome medicine to all that humbly
call upon your holy Name.
We beseech you to ordain that we, being established in these blessings, may
cleave unto the same life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

BURNING OF ASHES

Song: Ashes

The people will go procession towards the bonfire and place their palms in it one by one.

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INTERCESSIONS

OUR FATHER

Priest: Father, our source of life

You know our weakness.
May we reach out with joy to grasp your hand
And to walk more readily in your ways.

All: Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE

Priest: May the Father bless us, for he has adopted us as his children.

All: Amen.

Priest: May the Son come to help us, for he has received us as brothers and sisters.

All: Amen.

Priest: May the Spirit be with us, for he has made us his dwelling place.

All: Amen.

Priest: And may almighty God bless you,

The Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Song

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