This should put to rest the question of when blessed ashes can be imposed on the faithful. Perhaps whoever down thumbed me will take note:
Matters Liturgical, The
Collectio Rerum Litrugicarum of Rev. Joseph Wuest, C.SS.R. Translated by Rev. Thomas W. Mullaney, C.SS.R. Re-arranged and Enlarged by Rev. William T. Barry, C.SS.R., S.S.L.
Father Wuest’s first edition was published in Latin in 1889 and the first English translation by Father Mullaney was published in 1924. My citations are from the eighth English edition, prepared by Father Barry and published in 1955 with the
Nihil Obstat and
Imprimatur.
497. Ash Wednesday
o) The practice of imposing ashes on the faithful on the first Sunday of Lent at the end of the Mass or apart from Mass is permitted, provided that the ashes were blessed and imposed on Ash Wednesday according to the regular rite. With the permission of the local Ordinary this may also be done in non-parochial churches and oratories but under the above conditions.