After the homily the minister, if a priest or deacon, joins his hands and says:

SWEET FRIENDS THROUGH CHRIST, COME-ON ASK OUR HEAVENLY-FATHER BLESS THESE-ashes ASHES WE USE SHOW"all" WE REPENT.

Pause for silent prayer.

LORD, BLESS US SINNERS, OURSELVES ASK YOU-rt FORGIVE AND BLESS SIGN-OF-THE-CROSS (2h)#ALL ACCEPT THESE-ashes ASHES. PRAY++ THEY-congregation CELEBRATE LENT TIME-PERIOD APPROPRIATE, PREPARE FOR EASTER JOY. WE ASK THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

R. Amen.

[Or: LORD, BLESS THESE-ashes ASHES SIGN-OF-THE-CROSS THAT SHOW-us WE ONLY GROUND. PARDON OUR SIN AND HELP US CELEBRATE LENT TIME-PERIOD APPROPRIATE. WHY? YOU-rt DON'T-WANT SINNER DIE, INSTEAD LIVE WITH CHRIST FINISH RESURRECT. HIMSELF-lf REIGN WITH YOU-rt FOREVER, FOREVER.

R. AMEN.]

He sprinkles the ashes with holy water in silence.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ASHES

The minister then places the ashes on those who come forward, saying to each:

REJECT SIN AND FOLLOW GOSPEL WITH FAITH.

[Or: REMEMBER (2h)YOU ONLY GROUND AND SOME-DAY (2h)YOU GO-#BACK-ground GROUND.]

Meanwhile some of the following antiphons or other appropriate songs are sung.

Antiphon 1
#BACK-WITH-God LORD WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART. ALLOW PAST STAY ASHES AND MANY-LOOK-UP-TO GOD WITH TEARS AND FASTING. WHY? HE-rt PATIENT, NOT EASY ANGRY AND READY FORGIVE.

Antiphon 2
PRAY++ PRIEST AND MINISTER TO LORD MOURN APPROACH HIS-rt ALTAR AND SAY (role play) PLEASE NOT PUNISH US, LORD. NOT PUNISH YOUR PEOPLE! NOT ALLOW US DIE. WHY? WE BEG YOU-rt.

Antiphon 3
LORD, TAKE-AWAY OUR EVIL.

These may be repeated after each verse of Psalm 51, "Have mercy on me, 0 God."

Responsory

HELP OUR HEART FOCUS BETTER THINGS, LORD. ALLOW OUR SIN AND IGNORANCE HEAL. LORD, PLEASE NOT CONFRONT US FAST WITH DEATH, BUT ALLOW US TIME REPENT.
R. LOOK-DOWN-ON-us HAVE-MERCY-ON-us, LORD. KNOW-THAT WE SIN AGAINST YOU-rt.
V.HELP US, GOD OUR SAVIOR. SAVE US WILL HONOR YOUR-rt NAME.
R. LOOK-DOWN-ON-us HAVE-MERCY-ON-us, LORD. KNOW-THAT WE SIN AGAINST YOU-rt.

After the giving of ashes the minister's hands are washed; the rite concludes with the general intercessions and the final blessing.

INTERCESSIONS

The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.

The minister says:
OUR HEAVENLY-FATHER HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US. HE-rt DON'T-WANT SINNER DIE, INSTEAD THEY-rt SHOULD REJECT SIN AND CHOOSE LIFE. WE PRAY++ THAT WE SORRY FOR OUR SIN MEAN NOT~NEED FEAR FUTURE EVIL AND SIN NO-MORE.

R. LORD, ACCEPT OUR PRAYER.

Assisting minister:
PEOPLE TEND WEAK CAUSE US SCAR HOLY CHURCH. PARDON ALL OUR SIN AND HELP-us #BACK-TOGETHER OUR (<) BROTHERS, (>) SISTERS. R.

Assisting minister:
PLEASE FORGIVE SIN AND GIFT LIFE NEW TO THOSE-lf GET BAPTISM THIS EASTER. R.

Assisting minister:
HAVE-MERCY-ON-us ALLOW US HOPE. WELCOME US TO SACRAMENT #BACK-WITH-GOD. R.

Assisting minister:
HELP-us US REALLY-WANT CHANGE OUR LIFE, AND INFLUENCE OTHERS, THROUGH GIFT-TO POOR, SHOW HOW LIVE RIGHT AND PRAYER. R.

Assisting minister:
MAKE OUR LIFE PROVE YOUR-rt L-O-V-E, MEAN (2h)#ALL WITNESS CAN. BECOME PEOPLE #BACK-TOGETHER YOU-lf AND EACH-OTHER. R.

After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer.
NOW WE OBEY CHRIST HIMSELF-lf. COME-ON PRAY TOGETHER TO HEAVENLY-FATHER. ASK HIM-rt FORGIVE US LIKE WE FORGIVE OTHERS.

All: Our Father...

The minister adds:

HEAVENLY-FATHER, YOURSELF-rt SUPPORT OUR LIFE, YOU-rt KNOW WE WEAK. PRAY++ WE CONTACT YOU-rt HAPPY HOLD-HANDS AND WALK MORE OFTEN IN YOUR WAYS.

WE ASK THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD.

R. AMEN.

CONCLUDING RITE

The minister concludes the rite by saying:

PRAY++ HEAVENLY-FATHER BLESS US. KNOW-THAT HE-rt ADOPT US BECOME HIS-rt CHILDREN.
R. AMEN.

PRAY++ THE-lf SON COME HELP-us US. KNOW-THAT HE-lf ACCEPT US BECOME (<) BROTHERS, (>) SISTERS.
R. AMEN.

PRAY++ HOLY SPIRIT GO-WITH US. KNOW-THAT HE-ctr LIVE INSIDE-SELF US.
R. AMEN.

A priest or deacon then blesses all present:
PRAY++ ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS #ALL-OF-YOU. HEAVENLY-FATHER, THE-lf SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, SIGN-OF-THE-CROSS.
R. AMEN.

Notes: FRIENDS - Interlocked (2h)[X] move in a horizontal circle.

COME-ON - (2h)[B^] move in circles pivoting at the wrists to beckon someone to do something.

HEAVENLY-FATHER - (2h)[A], FOs up, DH - held against forehead, NDH close to but lower, both hands open to (2h)[5] while moving upwards. HEAVEN may be added to this. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Heavenly Father - 1.

BLESS - (2h)[O^], POs ><, held at mouth. Hands are brought downwards while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bless.

THESE-ashes - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored. Index wherever the ashes happen to be (or the altar if it's not clear yet where they are.).

ASHES - FIRE DISSOLVE + (2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, touch thumbs and then make a horizontal circle (each hand making half of the circle).

REPENT - R-CHANGE.

SINNER - SIN AGENT, where SIN is (2h)[X] touch their respective sides of the mouth, descend to neutral space and circle antisymmetrically parallel to the chest. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Sin.

SIGN-OF-THE-CROSS - Use the DH [B] to touch forehead, stomach, left pectoral muscle (doesn't matter which hand is dominant), and then right pectoral muscle.

(2h)#ALL - (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].

LENT - Thumb of [L], Po > NDS< FO up, is drawn along mouth from NDS to DS.

TIME-PERIOD - [T], PO > NDS, FO up, travels in a vertical plane parallel to the NDH and makes contact with NDH [B], PO > DS, FO away. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Period - Time.

EASTER - (2h)[E], POs away, FOs up, separate in upward arcs. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Easter.

JOY - alt.HAPPY or EXCITED.

AMEN - (2h)[B], FOs up, are pressed together and brought down in a long, deliberate motion. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Amen.

GROUND - (2h)[bO], POs up, FOs away, are held in together in place while thumbs rub against FTs.

PARDON - Sign EXCUSE, switch dominance and sign EXCUSE again.

APPROPRIATE - RIGHT+.

INSTEAD - REPLACE.

RESURRECT - [V], PO up, FO away, pronates and hops onto the palm of [B], PO up, FO away. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Resurrection.

REIGN - CONTROL.

REJECT - Hands start like the final position of STOP and DH slides > DS while pronating.

GOSPEL - G-NEW. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Gospel - 2.

FAITH - Like THINK TRUST but with elevated hands and eyes to show the trust is spiritual.

SOME-DAY - WILL/FUTURE but hands twists slightly at wrist.

GO-#BACK-ground - (2h)[B], POs > rt, FOs up; the hands transition to a C and then a K while rushing towards ground.

#BACK-WITH-God - (2h)[B], POs ><, FOs up, are held with NDH close to the body and the DH high and close to where God is spatialized. The hands transition to a C and then a K while rushing towards each other and contacting.

WHOLE - (2h)[B^], POs up, FOs ><, DH circles around NDH and lands on its palm. For a QuickTime file of COMPLETE, see ASL Pro: Whole.

MANY-LOOK-UP-TO - (2h)[4] move FT towards Heaven as if many eyes were looking to God.

TEARS - (2h)[X] scratches downward on face under eyes.

FASTING - Zip mouth closed with [F].

PRIEST - [G], PO > signer, FO up, moves across neck from NDS to DS to show clerical collar.

MINISTER - M-SERVE.

MOURN - (2h)[S] twist at heart.

APPROACH - (2h)[B], FOs up, DH PO away, ND is held in front of NDH and palm faces it, then both hands approach one another slightly.

ALTAR - (2h)[A], POs down, FOs away, touch thumbs, separate, and descend.

EVIL - (2h)[3], wg while moving repeatedly > forehead. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Satan.

IGNORANCE - [O], PO > NDS, FO up, is waved in front of forehead to show no knowledge.

CONFRONT - (2h)[B], POs ><, FOs away, DH above NDH, hands moves away, then tilt until FOs are up.

LOOK-DOWN-ON-us - (2h)[V^], PO > away, FO up, hands are held high and FT tip down and point to signer.

HAVE-MERCY-ON-us - (2h)[open 8], POs > signer, hands move in vertical circles normal (perpendicular) to the chest. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Mercy - 2.

KNOW-THAT - Starts like KNOW but twists and descends, looking almost like DON'T-KNOW except the hand twists down at the end.

SAVIOR - S-FREE AGENT.

NO-MORE - (2h)[B], POs down, cross at wrists, then uncross moving horizontally and emphatically. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - don't.

CAUSE - (2h)[S] are held at the chest as if holding a rope and move forward while opening to (2h)[5]. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - cause.

SCAR - FT of [X] scratches across forehead above DS eyebrow with gritted teeth.

HOLY - H-CLEAN. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Holy - 1.

#BACK-TOGETHER - (2h)[B], POs ><, FOs up, are held at respective sides. The hands transition to a C and then a K while rushing towards each other and contacting.

- (2h)[X], POs ><, FOs up, nod downwards at wrist to show that something is given as a gift.

BAPTISM - [W], PO > NDS, FO up, touches chin and then temple.

SACRAMENT - S-CROSS.

#BACK-WITH-God - (2h)[B], POs ><, FOs up, are held with NDH close to the body and the DH high and close to where God is spatialized. The hands transition to a C and then a K while rushing towards each other and contacting.

REALLY-WANT - WANT but shaken back and forth to show intensity.

WITNESS - [1] touches under eye while head moves down.

HOLD-HANDS - Hold hands together as in WEDDING and swing them to and fro.

ADOPT - - (2h)[5:], POs away, FOs up, move down quickly and close to (2h)[S], POs down, FOs away, as if grabbing hold of something, then hands ascend.

GO-WITH - (2h)[A] press palms together and move forward.

INSIDE-SELF - The FT of [C] are held against the chest and stuff the FT of [O^] into the [C] twice.

ALMIGHTY - COMPLETE POWERFUL, that is, (2h)[B^], DH circles around and lands in the palm of NDH, PO up, FO > DS + FT of [C] strike biceps and immediately pull away. For a QuickTime file of COMPLETE, see ASL Pro: Whole.

#ALL-OF-YOU - [A], PO up, FO > DS - held at DS then swings away in an arc and ends [L^], PO up, FO > NDS.

Lyrics:

After the homily the minister, if a priest or deacon, joins his hands and says:

Dear friends in Christ, let us ask our Father to bless these ashes which we will use as the mark of our repentance.

Pause for silent prayer.

Lord, bless the sinner who asks for your forgiveness and bless + all those who receive these ashes. May they keep this lenten season in preparation for the joy of Easter.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Or:

Lord, bless these ashes + by which we show that we are dust. Pardon our sins and keep us faithful to the discipline of Lent, for you do not want sinners to die but to live with the risen Christ, who reigns with you for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

He sprinkles the ashes with holy water in silence.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ASHES

The minister then places the ashes on those who come forward, saying to each:

Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel.

Or: Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return.

Meanwhile some of the following antiphons or other appropriate songs are sung.

Antiphon 1
Come back to the Lord with all your heart; leave the past in ashes, and turn to God with tears and fasting, for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive.

Antiphon 2
Let the priests and ministers of the Lord lament before his altar, and say: Spare us, Lord; spare your people! Do not let us die for we are crying out to you.

Antiphon 3
Lord, take away our wickedness.

These may be repeated after each verse of Psalm 51, "Have mercy on me, 0 God."

Responsory

Direct our hearts to better things, O Lord; heal our sin and ignorance. Lord, do not face us suddenly with death, but give us time to repent.
R. Turn to us with mercy, Lord: we have sinned against you.
V. Help us, God our savior, rescue us for the honor of your name.
R. Turn to us with mercy, Lord; we have sinned against you.

After the giving of ashes the minister's hands are washed; the rite concludes with the general intercessions and the final blessing.

INTERCESSIONS

The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.

The minister says:
Our merciful Father does not desire the death of sinners but rather that they should turn from their sins and have life. Let us pray that we who are sorry for our sins may fear no future evil and sin no more.

R. Lord, hear our prayer.

Assisting minister:
By human weakness we have disfigured the holiness of the Church: pardon all our sins and restore us to full communion with our brothers and sisters. R.

Assisting minister:
Grant the forgiveness of sins and the gift of new life to those who will be baptized this Easter. R.

Assisting minister:
Your mercy is our hope: welcome us to the sacrament of reconciliation. R.

Assisting minister:
Give us the will to change our lives, and the lives of others, by charity, good example, and prayer. R.

Assisting minister:
Make us a living sign of your love for all to see: people reconciled with you and each other. R.

After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer.
Now, in obedience to Christ himself, let us join in prayer to the Father, asking him to forgive us as we forgive others.

All:
Our Father . . .

The minister adds:

Father, our source of life, you know our weakness. May we reach out with joy to grasp your hand and to walk more readily in your ways.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE

The minister concludes the rite by saying:

May the Father bless us, for he has adopted us as his children.
R. Amen.

May the Son come to help us, for he has received us as brothers and sisters.
R. Amen.

May the Spirit be with us, for he has made us his dwelling place.
R. Amen.

A priest or deacon then blesses all present:
And may almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.