The health risks posed by the pandemic have not prevented Catholics from observing Ash Wednesday, which signals the start of the season of Lent. In Pangasinan, Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese sprinkles blessed ash on the head of a Catholic devotee wearing a protective face mask and face shield as a preventive measure against COVID-19 during a Mass at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City. (Photo by Willie Lomibao)
PIAT, Cagayan –– Strict health protocols were imposed as Catholics here observed Ash Wednesday that marked the start of Lenten season.
Priests sprinkled ashes on the devotees’ crowns instead of the traditional smudging of ashes on their foreheads.
Fr. Bernice Wynn Rio, Piat parish priest, said this “new normal” would reduce the risk of transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
He also reminded the public to continue observing other health protocols, such as wearing face masks and face shields and maintaining physical distancing. INQ
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