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PREPARING FOR LENT Rev. Roland Balase directs the burning of blessed palm leaves to be used during the Ash Wednesday observance at Baclaran Church in the city of Parañaque. The Catholic Church is reminding the faithful to follow health measures while attending Masses that mark the beginning of Lent. —RICHARD A. REYES
Heads of families can take home ashes from churches and distribute them to family members for Ash Wednesday observance this week.
In a note issued this month, Baguio Bishop Victor Bendico, chairman of the Episcopal Liturgy Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines (CBCP), said those who could not physically attend Mass could request an envelope that contains blessed ash. and “force it on their families” as they attend mass online.
“Those who cannot attend church on this day can join in the celebration of Mass on Ash Wednesday through television and online media. Then they receive the ashes of their family members who were able to go to church … and bring ashes home for them, ”Bendico said.
The head of the family is expected to make a brief introduction and invite his family to participate in the celebration.
The 40-day period of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 17.
Dry branches, leaves
The CBCP said the ashes could also be obtained from dry branches or leaves of plants or trees “as many parishes may find it difficult to secure old palm branches blessed in the 2020 Palm Sunday celebration.”
“Our celebration last year was in the absence of our people due to strict closure and only a few palm branches were blessed on the occasion,” said the CBCP.
Among the various ways to distribute the ashes to safeguard the health and safety of the parishioners are by spreading the ashes on their forehead or using cotton balls to apply the ashes and mark a cross on their forehead.
The minister will use different cotton balls for each faithful.
Douglas Badong, vicar of the Quiapo Church, said that the faithful “can choose not to spread the ashes on their foreheads. It is an external practice of repentance. The important thing is that they confess and repent of their sins. “INQ
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