by Sammie Rodriguez February 22, 2021 (Photo from of Quiapo Church Facebook Page)...
February 22, 2021
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| (Photo from of Quiapo Church Facebook Page) |
MANILA, Philippines – On Wednesday, February 17, 2020, Thousands of Catholics prepared themselves to start the Lenten season by attending the mass for the modified Ash Wednesday ritual amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Protocols were observed in all churches and local parishes with devotees meters apart, use of face shields and face masks, and priests and nuns modifying few practices to try to maintain a sense of normalcy while mass is ongoing.
Ash Wednesday is an important ritual to start the season of Lent for the ashes symbolizes repentance from sin.
Instead of the usual dabbing ash in a sign of a cross directly onto foreheads, devotees received ashes sprinkles on their heads by priests, nuns, and lay ministers to avoid physical contact with each other and keep churchgoers safe from the coronavirus
Catholic members who are unable to attend the holy mass, and just virtually participate in the ritual received sachets of blessed ashes and prayer pamphlets outside the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish church in Caloocan, Philippines distributed by Catholic priest Adrian Magnait.
While in other countries like Munholland United Methodist Church in Metairie, Louisiana, US prepared ashes on a cotton swab at a drive-through Ash Wednesday service.
There are a lot of ways on how the Catholic Church started the penitential season of Lent and despite the pandemic’s challenges masses have still taken place, though in different ways.
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