Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) – The Archdiocese of Manila will reinstate the rubbing of ashes on the faithful’s forehead, as the Catholic Church observes Ash Wednesday tomorrow, Feb. 22.
“We will revert to the imposition of ashes on the forehead of the faithful,” the circular read.
Fr. Carmelo Arada, Jr., Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Manila, also urged Catholics to avoid putting the ashes on their own forehead.
“We receive the ashes because the call to repentance is addressed to us by Christ through the Church,” Arada said. “It is also through the ministry of the Church that we are reconciled with God and each other.”
However, a priest in Quezon City said he prefers the sprinkling of ashes on the head as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
WATCH: Ash Wednesday: Priests to sprinkle ash on top of head instead
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) previously ordered to replace the traditional Ash Wednesday rites with the sprinkling of dry ash on the faithful’s head.
It was done to prevent the spread of coronavirus during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 125th CBCP Plenary Assembly, the praying of the “Litany of Gratitude After the COVID pandemic” was approved.
It is prayed during weekday and Sunday Masses from Feb. 11 until Ash Wednesday.
The litany replaced the “Oratio Imperata Against COVID-19,” which was issued in 2020 during the height of the pandemic
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten Season. For Catholics, the ashes symbolize man’s mortality or his return to dust.
During Lent, Catholics are called on to pray, fast, and practice almsgiving.
