VATICAN CITY – While scaling down an ancient ritual to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis led 1.3 billion Roman Catholics around the world into the holy season of Lent on Ash Wednesday.
The penitential season in the Roman Catholic calendar is usually marked by a procession between two ancient churches in Rome. But the pope gave it a go and chose to celebrate Mass for about 120 people in St Peter’s Basilica.
During the period of Lent, Catholics are exhorted to fast, practice good deeds, give alms and be close to the needy and suffering.
Last month, the Vatican came out with guidelines to be followed for Ash Wednesday in the pandemic era.
One of the guidelines mentioned that priests should sprinkle ashes on the head of believers rather than the customary rubbing on the forehead while reciting the customary formula “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return” just once before the congregation rather than to each believer.
However, the pope did not appear to religiously follow the guidelines as he dumped ashes on the crowns of cardinals and patted them down.
While the sprinkling of sacred ash has been customary in certain parts of Europe and South America, rubbing on the forehead is predominant in Asia and USA.
While delivering his sermon, the pope said Lent should be a chance to leave behind “the false security of money and conveniences.. chasing things that are here today and gone tomorrow,” and turn to God.