Baguio Diocese on Ash Wednesday: No ashes on forehead for now

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Baguio suggested parishes to follow the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) “No-Contact Ash Wednesday” as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19.

The CBCP’s pastoral letter released on February 20 suggests small portions of the blessed ashes to be dropped or sprinkled on the crown of the head instead of smudging it on the forehead.

Fr. Rosito Pedro Jr., the Vicar General of Diocese of Baguio, said that it is the parishes' discretion to follow the request. In a statement, he recognized that the church also shared the fear of the COVID-19.

“We would opt to follow the directives of the CBCP in general. While it is up to every Diocese to follow or not the directives, I believe that there is that common fear among us regarding the corona virus. With this connection, we would rather also be cautious in that respect. So, it will depend on the faithful, it will depend on the parishes. But in general, we uphold, we will follow the directives of the CBCP,” Fr. Pedro said.

Father Pedro reassures that the symbolism of the ashes and the meaning of Ash Wednesday remain the same despite the temporary change of practice due to the COVID-19 scare.

“We still follow the formula. It does not change. So, nothing changed substantially. It is just on the manner of the imposition of the ashes that is being changed for the meantime, but without the threat of corona virus, everything would be normal. It just so happened that this is a time of cautiousness, so we have to protect our faithful and to protect us, ourselves,” the Vicar General added.

However, there are mixed reactions from the churchgoers on the question of health over tradition.

“Iyon [paglalagay ng abo sa noo] na rin kasi ‘yung nakasanayan. So mainam na yung dati,” said Lian De Guzman, a churchgoer.

(That [the smudging of ashes on foreheads] has always been the tradition. So, the old practices are better.)

“Hindi ako kuntento doon, kasi parang ngayon ko lang narinig yung ganon eh, noh? Dapat ‘yung uling sa noo,” added Julie Balanag, a street vendor outside the church.

(I am not content with that, because it’s my first time hearing it. The ashes should be on the forehead.)

However, other churchgoers expressed their support to the expected changes.

“Syempre tayo naman sumusunod lang sa mga sasabihin o gagawin. Dahil kahit ayaw natin, kung gusto nila, ‘di bakit hindi, ‘di ba? At tsaka yung panata natin ay iisa,” Editha Cantor, another churchgoer, added.

(Of course, we only follow what they say or do. Even if we don’t like it, if they want it, why not, right? And our vows remain the same.)

“Para sa safety na rin ng mga people. Pati sa confession, pwedeng sinusulat na lang pala. Tapos ibibigay mo yung sulat, tapos bibigyan ka niya ng penance, tapos ibabalik sayo yung paper,” Ner Prestousa said.

(It’s for the safety of the people. Even in confessions, people can just write it down. Give the letter [to the priest] then he will give you the penance then return your letter to you.)

The Vicar General still encourages the churchgoers to attend the services, especially on Ash Wednesday for internal reflection and repentance.

“We encourage our church goers, our faithful to attend the services... and of course have that internal reflection regarding what we do. Ash Wednesday is not really the ashes that are visible, but it is only a manifestation of our internal repentance and that is what counts most in this celebration... And that is our realization that we are in need of purification like that ashes that is burned and changed substantially, we also are in need of change, that is especially internal,” Fr. Pedro stated.

by Agatha Mateo and Valerie Joyce Nuval