- This event has passed.
Ash Wednesday – 17th February 2021
February 17, 2021 @ 6:45 am - 5:30 pm
Imposition of Ashes on Ash Wednesday, in time of Pandemic
The Congregation for Divine Worship has issued a Note concerning the Imposition of Ashes in this time of pandemic. Priests will distribute the Ashes as follows:
1. The priest says only once “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return” rather than repeating the formula to each person;
2. The priest puts on a facemask and sanitises his hands before distributing the ashes;
3. The priest sprinkles the ashes on the heads of the faithful who come forward.
The act of putting ashes symbolises fragility and mortality, and the need to be redeemed by the mercy of God. Far from being a merely external act, it symbolises that attitude of internal penance to which all the baptised are called during Lent.
The act of sprinkling ashes on top of the head is the more ancient practice and is the common method in many parts of the world.
In time of Covid-19 it has the advantage of not requiring the priest to contact the skin of many people one after another, risking inadvertent infection.
Mass and Reconciliation Times at St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney
Due to Covid-19 Restrictions, Attendance inside the Cathedral is limited to a Maximum of 1200 people.
6:45am Mass;
12pm Mass;
12pm-1pm Sacrament of Confession;
1:10pm Mass;
4:30pm-5:30pm Sacrament of Confession;
5pm Vespers;
5:30pm Mass;
Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Darlinghurst
6pm Mass