This past week of course was Ash Wednesday.  I went to english mass, and after mass we had our two Anglo and one Mexican priests, and the deacon and lay ministers positioned around the church building to give out the ashes.  In the line in which I was standing, one of our lay ministers was giving the ashes.  I could hear the deacon in the line next to me saying "Remember man that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return", but the lady for our line was saying only: "Repent and live the gospel".

Now, one cannot argue with the phrase "Repent and live the gospel" (it is always good advice), but I have a few questions:

1) Why was she not comfortable saying what has probably been said for centuries?

2) Does a lay minister have the right to improvise so?

3) Are there any rules regarding this?

4) Is what she said an accepted, bishop-approved alternative?

5) Should I bring this to the attention of our local priest?

On my way out the door, I would hear the spanish priest saying "Requerdes hombre, eres polvo, y a polvo te volveras", which is the same as what I quoted in english above. 

Maybe it is only a matter of style, but her "Repent and live the gospel" seemed a bit milk toast to me. 

Thanks for any comments and/or advice regarding this.

This seems close to the following words as seen in this excerpt from an explanation on the origins of ashes (EWTN q/a) from Fr Saunders:

"In our present liturgy for Ash Wednesday, we use ashes made form the burned palm branches distributed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The priest blesses the ashes and imposes them on the foreheads of the faithful, making the sign of the cross and saying, "Remember, man you are dust and to dust you shall return," or "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel." As we begin this holy season of Lent in preparation for Easter, we must remember the significance of the ashes we have received: We mourn and do penance for our sins. We again convert our hearts to the Lord, who suffered, died, and rose for our salvation. We renew the promises made at our baptism, when we died to an old life and rose to a new life with Christ Finally, mindful that the kingdom of this world passes away, we strive to live the kingdom of God now and look forward to its fulfillment in heaven.

Fr. Saunders is president of the Notre Dame Institute for Catechetics and associate pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish, both in Alexandria. "

If you have a question call the Parish office and ask about it.

By the way to avoid confusion with priests and deacons it is not a good idea to refer to the laity performing these functions as ministers other than as in "extraordinary ministers of holy communion" or as in stable ministry of acolyte or lector although in need temporarily lay people can perform some ministeral functions see Can.230 etc.. 

Their authority to administer this sacramental (anyway I think it is one) appears in the following Canon:

Can. 1168 The minister of the sacramentals is a cleric who has the requisite power. In accordance with the liturgical books and subject to the judgment of the local Ordinary, certain sacramentals can also be administered by lay people who possess the appropriate qualities.

Dado

AMDG

Thank you for the good information.  It seems I was puzzed over nothing.

Thanks again - I do appreciate it.