03/05 at 10:30 AM ET
Pope Francis presides over the Stational Prayers and Penitential Procession from the church of St. Anselm to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, where he celebrates Mass with the Blessing and Imposition of the Ashes
Ping!
Maybe my fellow FR Catholics who ‘ are in the know ‘ can help me.
I attended St. Joseph’s Church in Belmont, Massachusetts today for the Ash Wednesday service.
There was no priest at the church. The entire service was conducted by an old woman. She blessed and distributed the ashes to all in attendance saying ‘ Turn away from sin - ( with something added toward the end ) ‘ before applying the ash.
A young woman was also applying ash to people. But again, there wasn’t a priest in the church anywhere.
The old woman gave a homily as well.
When was this allowed? I’ve never seen this in my entire life and did not stick around for ashes.