Anisha Riggs
Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance and self-examination that marks the beginning of Lent, the day before the first day of Lent, and is a reminder of our mortality. The day involves a service of Holy Eucharist, which includes the imposition of ashes. The ashes used in the ceremony are made from burning the remains of the blessed palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday. During the blessing of the ashes, four ancient prayers are recited, and the ashes are sprinkled with holy water and incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense used on Ash Wednesday | Yes |
| When is it used? | During the blessing of the ashes |
| Who uses it? | The Celebrant, assisted by the second server |
| Where is it used? | In the church, at the altar |
| How is it used? | The Celebrant sprinkles the ashes with holy water and fumigates them with incense |
| Why is it used? | To make the liturgy more solemn, to mark the beginning of Lent, and as a reminder of our mortality |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used to fumigate the blessed ashes
Incense is used during Mass on solemn occasions in the Catholic Church. Ash Wednesday is one such solemn occasion, marking the beginning of Lent, the 40-day preparation period for Easter. On Ash Wednesday, the priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man, you are dust, and to dust, you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."
The use of incense to fumigate the blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday is part of a traditional ceremony that probably dates back to at least the eighth century. The ashes used in this ceremony are made by burning the remains of the palm branches distributed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. The blessing of the ashes typically involves the use of four ancient prayers, holy water, and incense.
The ritual for the "Day of Ashes" is found in the earliest editions of the Gregorian Sacramentary, which dates back to at least the 8th century. The name "dies cinerum" (day of ashes) in the Roman Missal is also found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary. This ancient custom exhorts the faithful to approach the altar before the beginning of Mass, where the priest blesses and marks the sign of the cross on their foreheads with the blessed ashes.
The use of incense during Ash Wednesday Mass adds to the solemnity of the occasion. Incense is often used in Catholic liturgies to enhance the solemnity of the celebration, especially during the most solemn days of the year. The amount of incense used is typically profuse, creating a significant amount of smoke. However, due to allergies and sensitivities, its use may be limited or absent in some parishes.
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The celebrant sprinkles the ashes with holy water
The Asperges Rite is a traditional Catholic ceremony involving the sprinkling of holy water. The priest, dressed in alb, stole and cope, intones the antiphon "Asperges me" or "Vidi acquam" during Eastertide. He then sprinkles the altar, the clergy, and the assembly with holy water while the choir sings the antiphon. The priest concludes the rite with a prayer asking God to send his holy angel to protect and defend those present at the Mass.
The asperges rite is not considered part of the Mass and is usually performed before the principal Mass on Sundays. However, it can also be performed during the Mass itself, particularly during the entrance procession, at the beginning of the Mass to incense the altar, and at other solemn occasions.
On Ash Wednesday, the celebrant sprinkles the ashes with holy water as part of a ritual that includes the use of incense. The celebrant, assisted by the second and third servers, goes to the altar rails and imposes the ashes, first on the men and then on the women. The celebrant then returns to the Epistle side and cleanses and dries his hands using water, bread, and a towel.
The asperges rite is a reminder of baptism and is often performed during Easter time. It is meant to evoke the blessing and sprinkling of water as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and renewal. The celebrant blesses the water with a prayer, such as "Almighty ever-living God, who willed that through water…". The deacon or a master of ceremonies then dips the sprinkler in the water and presents it to the celebrant, who proceeds to sprinkle the ministers and the assembly.
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The imposition of ashes is an ancient sign of repentance
The Imposition of Ashes, also known as Ash Wednesday, is a centuries-old ritual that marks the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting, prayer, introspection, and preparation for the Easter celebration. The ceremony involves placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of clerics and laypeople alike, in the shape of a cross, while reciting the words, "Remember, man, that you are dust, and to dust, you shall return." This practice serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality and a call to repentance for our sins.
The use of ashes as a symbol of repentance and humility before God has deep roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition. In the Bible, we find instances of people donning sackcloth and ashes to express mourning, grief, and repentance. For example, in the Book of Jonah, the entire city of Nineveh, from the king to the lowest slave, put on sackcloth and sat in ashes to demonstrate their repentance before God.
The ashes used in the Ash Wednesday ceremony are prepared by burning the palms that were blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year. This act of recycling the palms symbolically connects the joyous celebration of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with the solemn reflection of Lent. Before the imposition of ashes, the celebrant blesses the ashes by reciting four ancient prayers, sprinkling them with holy water, and fumigating them with incense.
The ritual of Ash Wednesday is a profound and moving experience for many Christians. By receiving the imposition of ashes, individuals outwardly express their inner desire for repentance and their commitment to spiritual transformation during the Lenten season. This physical mark of the cross on their foreheads serves as a constant reminder of their mortality and the need for reconciliation with God.
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The celebrant wears a purple stole and cope
The stole is a scarf that was used as a symbol of authority for Roman officials. It is worn by ordained persons, with bishops and priests wearing the stole over both shoulders, and deacons typically wearing the stole over the left shoulder. The celebrant at the Eucharist typically wears a stole, which usually reflects the liturgical colour of the day or season of the celebration. Purple is the designated colour for Advent and Lent, evoking a mood of quiet reflection and associated with penance and healing.
The cope is a ceremonial cloak, semicircular, richly ornamented, with a clasp in front and a hood or hood-like appendage in the back. It is worn over the alb (or rochet) and stole. The cope is generally worn at non-Eucharistic liturgies in place of the chasuble, and is typically worn by the presider. It is also worn during the entrance procession and even during the liturgy of the word. Bishops sometimes wear the cope when performing episcopal functions such as ordinations and confirmations. The cope may be worn by any rank of the Catholic or Anglican clergy, and by licensed lay ministers on certain occasions. It is usually worn in processions, and its liturgical colour can vary.
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The first server prepares the thurible with charcoal
The first server, also known as the boat boy or boat bearer, prepares the thurible with charcoal. The thurible is a metal incense burner suspended from chains, used to burn incense during Christian worship services. The boat bearer is responsible for assisting the thurifer, the senior altar server who carries the thurible.
To prepare the thurible, the first server must first ensure they are in a suitable charcoal preparation area with a hard, fire-proof floor to guard against errant sparks. The area should also include other thurible items such as charcoals, tools, incense, and the boat, which is a small metal container that holds the incense.
The first server then places the burning charcoal inside the metal censer of the thurible, either directly into the bowl section or into a removable crucible if one is supplied. It is important to use a dedicated screwdriver for this task, ensuring that it does not come into contact with candle wax, as this can create an unpleasant smell when the charcoal is lit.
Once the charcoal is in place, the priest or thurifer will add the incense, blessing it with the Sign of the Cross. The thurible is then closed, and the charcoal will ignite the incense, producing a sweet-smelling smoke. This process may be repeated several times during the service, as incense burns quite quickly.
It is worth noting that there are two types of charcoal commonly used in the United States: self-lighting and real briquettes. Self-lighting charcoals are available in religious supply companies and local venues, while real briquettes require cutting before use.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, incense is used on Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a time of fasting, prayer, self-examination and preparation for the Easter feast.
On Ash Wednesday, the faithful are exhorted to approach the altar before the beginning of Mass, where the priest marks the sign of the cross on their foreheads with blessed ashes, reminding them of their mortality and that they will return to dust.
The ashes are made from the remains of the palms blessed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year.
Incense is used to fumigate the blessed ashes. The Celebrant puts incense in the thurible, sprinkles the ashes, and then incenses them.
