Jesuits in South Africa Provide Guide for Ash Wednesday Celebration “at home, in family”

Family members are also required to make ashes by burning dry palm branches from last year and to place the ashes in a clean bowl.

Those who do not have palm branches from previous years have a variety of options to obtain ashes, including burning dry leaves from any plant species.

Other options include using any piece of charcoal, the Clerics at the Jesuit Institute South Africa say and add, “If you are not able to access ash, you can still have the service and, at the moment of imposing ash, simply pause in prayer and communion with the whole Church on this Ash Wednesday.”

To avoid physical contact feared to increase the spread of COVID-19, family members are encouraged to sprinkle a pinch of ashes on the crown of the recipient’s head.

“There is to be no physical contact with others,” the Jesuits caution, and explain, “If you are with others, the leader will sprinkle the ash. Once they have done this, they will ask one person to do the same for them. If you are alone, you can sprinkle yourself.”

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In the “Service of the Word and Distribution of Ashes” guide, family members are required to decide on who will lead the service, who will read and which readings they will read.

The service begins by taking a few moments in silence together after which an opening prayer is said.

The payer shared by the Jesuits is, “Let us pray Lord our God. As we begin this season of holy fasting, a time of reflection and Christian service, help us to enter into the spirit of Lent by living simply and seeking your will alone. Through Christ our Lord.”

Families are also invited to read and reflect on the Prophet Joel 2:12-18 after which they proceed with the distribution of the ashes.

Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor's Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya's Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.