On Ash Wednesday, some ‘trace’ and some ‘sprinkle’ — But why?
An Ash Wednesday mystery
In Germany, on Ash Wednesday, a priest traces a cross of ash on the forehead of each penitent Catholic. In neighboring Poland, a priest sprinkles ashes atop the head.
Most Latin American countries trace. But they sprinkle at the Vatican, and in Italy. Croatia sprinkles. Nigeria traces.
The U.S. is a tracing cou…