CNS / Cristian Gennari, pool Pope Francis sprinkles ashes on the head of a cardinal as he celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass in 2020. In the Diocese of Little Rock, priests will take special precautions in distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, by sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads. CNS / Cristian Gennari, pool Pope Francis sprinkles ashes on the head of a cardinal as he celebrates Ash Wednesday Mass in 2020. In the Diocese of Little Rock, priests will take special precautions in distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, by sprinkling ashes on the top of people’s heads. What you can expect