Lent season starts today
The Archdiocese of Cebu has announced that today’s Ash Wednesday, which signals the start of the season of Lent, will be back to pre-pandemic practice wherein Catholics wear a marking of the cross in ash on their foreheads.
Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma there will be physical marking of ashes on the foreheads today.
“Yung talagang may ashes na…Those things… Balik na talaga,” Palma told reporters in an interview.
The prelate said all religious activities are now back to normal, adding that the people appreciate better the physical presence.
“The people have appreciated the physical presence…so we are practically back to normal,” Palma added.
He said that virtual masses will still be held but limited only on some rare occasions.
“The meaning of gathering is really inperson…But there are instances like for sick people…those who cannot gather physically, (they can go online),” said Palma.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the church issued directives and guidelines that modified some of its traditional practices, including Ash Wednesday.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40-day Lenten Season or penitential season in preparation for the joys of Easter. This symbolizes the 40 days which Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and praying.
Although not a holy day of obligation among Catholics, going to Mass and having ashes imposed is said to be a good way to begin the Lenten Season. Ash Wednesday is a day of Universal Fasting and Abstinence.
The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the blessed palms used during the previous year. These are burned on the night before
Ash Wednesday, also known as Shrove Tuesday.