ILOILO City – Catholics are marking today’s traditional observance of Ash Wednesday with a bow and a sprinkling of blessed ash instead of a cross being daubed on their foreheads.
To prevent the spread of coronavirus, churches are skipping their tactile practice during Ash Wednesday – the start of the 40-day Lenten season.
At the Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo issued a memorandum circular detailing the distribution of ashes vis-à-vis the COVID-19 threat.
The ashes, which are mixed with holy water or oil, are made by burning Palm Sunday leaves from the previous year.
Father Angelo Colada, director of social communications of the Archdiocese of Jaro, the circular was in consonance to the government-imposed safety health protocols.
“Wala dapat sang physical contact due to COVID-19.Ginpakamaayo naton nga amo na ang himuon nga i-sprinkle ang ash sa ulo,” said Colada.
The Archdiocese of Jaro observed this directive even before the coronavirus breached the region last year. But this year, churches are instructed to implement stricter guidelines.
“Actually, last year pa na pero tungod wala pa gid nagsulod ang COVID-19 sa aton kay start kita lockdown sang March 16, 2020. At that time may option pa ang pari either mag-cross sa agtang or buribod. Pero subong buribod na lang gid. Wala na sang pag-krus sa agtang,” Colada explained.
Colada also advised penitents to come early at parishes – with face coverings on – as the imposition of ashes will be held during the sacred celebration.
Colada noted that some parishes dispersed service to barangays to cater those who could not come to church, adding it was a way to limit large gatherings.
“Sa iban nga towns, aside sa main church may ara sila ginahimu sa kabarangayan, puede sila makagamit sang gym,” Colada said.
As to other big parishes, the imposition or distribution of ash will be done through proper scheduling of Masses to avoid the jostle of people.
According to Colada, Ash Wednesday is a significant day for all Catholics for it is “a sacred reminder that all humans are made of dust and shall return to dust.”
Moreover,Colada said the Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (April 2) observances are also days of fasting.
All Fridays of the Lent season, meanwhile, are days of abstinence.
Fasting is the reduction of one’s intake of food, while abstinence refers to refraining from eating of pork.
Colada said the only qualified to observe fasting or abstinence are those aged 14 to 60 years./PN
