COVID changes for Ash Wednesday Archbishop Gregory Aymond has issued the following guidelines for the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday and the blessing of the throats on the Feast of St. Blaise. As we look ahead to Ash Wednesday (Feb. 17) and the Feast of St. Blaise (Feb. 3), we must adjust our liturgical rites because of the pandemic. Distribution of Ashes, Feb. 17 Ashes have been used as a sign of repentance from Old Testament times to today. In the early Church, the priest would sprinkle ashes on the heads of those confessing their sins. ln the year 1091, Pope Urban ll decreed that priests were to sprinkle ashes on the heads of all the faithful on the first day of Lent. As a result of that practice, this day became known as Ash Wednesday. In most countries, the practice of placing or sprinkling a small pinch of palm ashes on the top of the head on Ash Wednesday remains common practice. However, in the United States, the custom has developed where ashes are placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross. Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, modifications must be made to our usual method of imposition of ashes. After consultation with medical leaders. there are only three options for the imposition of ashes that will be used in the Archdiocese of New Orleans for 2021: ➤ Sprinkling a small pinch of dry ashes on the top of the head ➤ Using a cotton swab (Qtip) to place ashes on the forehead ➤ Using a cotton ball to place ashes on the forehead Whichever option is chosen, those imposing ashes are to wear a mask during the distribution of ashes and sanitize their hands afterwards. Pope Francis sprinkles a pinch of ashes over the head of a cardinal during a 2016 Ash Wednesday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Sprinkling ashes on the head is the normal Ash Wednesday practice in most countries. Because of COVID-19, Archbishop Gregory Aymond this year says ashes may be sprinkled on the head or imposed on the forehead in the shape of a cross by using either individual cotton swabs or Q-tips, disposed after each use.