The Diocese of Bacolod to ensure the health and safety of the faithful during the COVID-19 pandemic has issued liturgical directives for the observance of Ash Wednesday on February 17.
The Commission on Liturgy of the Diocese has issued options for the imposition of ashes to ensure the safety of the faithful.
These include the sprinkling of the ashes on the head of the faithful, and for those who prefer to have it on their forehead, the tracing of ashes can be done using a cotton ball dipped into the vessel of the blessed ashes. The minister should use a different cotton ball for each of the faithful.
If both options are not feasible, the faithful will be allowed to “self-impose” the ashes on their forehead provided that the proper sanitation of the hands is done before and after the imposition, the Commission said.
If the faithful prefer this option, a vessel of blessed ashes is prepared for them in a separate corner and a minister is stationed to instruct the faithful during the imposition and sanitation, it added.
Those who cannot come to church can join the celebration of the Mass of Ash Wednesday on TV or by other online means, the Commission said.*