Ilonggo Catholics gathered at the Jaro Metropolitan Church in Jaro district yesterday, February 17, 2020 in observance of Ash Wednesday under the new normal.
The Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lent season for the Catholics where praying, fasting, and giving of alms is observed for 40 days.
On regular Ash Wednesday, Catholics would attend the masses and have their foreheads marked with the sign of the cross using ashes of coconut palm fronds as a sign of repentance.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Catholic Church had to adopt additional health protocols and the usual religious rituals were waived to prevent any possible transmission of the virus.
In Iloilo City, the Archdiocese of Jaro employed the “no contact” policy during Ash Wednesday.
Instead of the usual marking of the foreheads, ash was sprinkled on the heads of the churchgoers.
Minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shield and the practice of social distancing during the mass were also observed.
Despite the threats of the COVID-19 pandemic, the faith of the Ilonggos remained strong as many Catholics still observed the Ash Wednesday under the new normal.
Among those who observed the religious event is 25-year-old Meryl from Guimaras but is working as a medical frontliner in a hospital in Iloilo City.
Meryl attended the mass at the Jaro Church together with her work mates who are also frontliners.
According to Meryl, the religious practice of observing Ash Wednesday has been religiously practiced by her family. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, forced them to be separated due to her work.
Amid the challenges of her work with the pandemic, Meryl remained hopeful as she prayed for courage, safety of her family, and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nagapangayo gid kami sang blessing before mag-start amon obra that’s why we attended the mass. Usually, upod kami sang family ko every Ash Wednesday but subong nga may pandemic, kami lang anay. Ang wish ko lang safety sang akon family and sa amon work and tani matapos na ning pandemic,” she said in a media interview. (ERS)
