Leofric Missal: the Order for those doing Public Penance, and the Blessing of the Ashes (English) (the Leofric Missal, given to Exeter by Bishop Leofric (1050–1072); the ashes blessing is in the later English part)

The Order for those doing Public Penance

Wednesday. The Beginning of the Fast. [Collect] at St Anastasia.

The order for those doing public penance. Thou receivest him on the Wednesday in the morning, and coverest him with sackcloth, and prayest for him, and shuttest him up until the Lord's Supper [Maundy Thursday].

Prayers and petitions over a penitent.

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and spare the sins of them that confess unto thee; that those whom the guilt of conscience accuseth, the compassion of thy pardon may absolve. Through our Lord.

Another.

Let thy mercy, we beseech thee, O Lord, go before this thy servant N., that all his iniquities may be blotted out by speedy pardon. Through [our Lord].

Another.

Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and let not the compassion of thy clemency be far from this thy servant N. Heal his wounds and forgive his sins, that, separated from thee by no iniquities, he may ever cleave to thee his Lord. Through [our Lord].

Another.

O Lord our God, who art not overcome by our offence, but art appeased by satisfaction, look, we beseech thee, upon this thy servant N., who confesseth that he hath grievously sinned against thee. Thine it is to give the washing away of crimes and to grant pardon to sinners, who hast said that thou wouldest rather the repentance of sinners than their death. Grant therefore, O Lord, that he may both keep unto thee the watches of penance, and, his deeds being amended, may rejoice that everlasting joys are bestowed on him by thee. Through [our Lord].

The Psalms, Preces and Final Prayer

Then let the priest bid the penitent rise with him, and on bended knees let them sing these psalms:

O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation [Psalm 6]. Twice.

Praise the Lord, O my soul [Psalm 103], once, as far as "making thee young and lusty as an eagle".

Have mercy upon me, O God [Psalm 51]. Once.

Save me, O God, for thy name's sake [Psalm 54].

Why boastest thou thyself [Psalm 52], as far as "The righteous also shall see this, and fear".

Then Kyrie eleison. Our Father.

I said, Lord, be merciful [unto my soul].

Turn thee, O Lord [and deliver my soul].

Let thy mercy [O Lord, be upon us].

Shew the light of thy countenance [upon thy servant].

[Remember not] the sins of my youth.

According to thy mercy [think thou upon me].

Save thy servant N.

Send him help, O Lord [from the sanctuary].

Lord, hear my prayer.

Let us pray.

O God, whose pardon no man but needeth, remember thy servant N.; and since, stripped bare by the slippery and earthly frailty of the body, he hath offended in many things, we beseech thee that thou give pardon to him confessing, and spare him suppliant; that we who are accused by our own deserts may be saved by thy compassion. Through [our Lord].

The Blessing of the Ashes

[From the later part of the book (Leofric C), among the blessings:] The blessing over the ashes.

O God, who desirest not the death but the repentance of sinners, most graciously look upon the frailty of our human condition, and vouchsafe of thy goodness to bless these ashes, which, as a token of humility and to obtain pardon, we have ordained to be laid upon our heads; that, as thou hast willed that we should be ashes, and for the desert of our wickedness hast made us to return to dust, thou mayest mercifully grant to us that ask the pardon of our sins and the rewards promised to us. Through [our Lord].

Another.

Almighty, everlasting God, spare them that fear, be merciful to them that pray, and vouchsafe to send thy holy angel from heaven to bless and sanctify these ashes, that they may be a healthful remedy to all that humbly call upon thy name, and accuse themselves in the conscience of their offences, and bewail their crimes before the sight of thy divine clemency, or earnestly and instantly entreat thy most serene goodness; and grant, we beseech thee, by the calling upon thy most holy name, that whosoever shall sprinkle them upon themselves for the redemption of their sins may receive health of body and protection of soul. Through [our Lord].