The rite of Ash Wednesday was modified by the pandemic of covid-19. On the morning of this Wednesday, February 17, 2021, dozens of people went to the Church of San Francisco, located in the Historic Center of Quito, to participate in this traditional Catholic ceremony.
For the first time in history, ash cross was not individually placed on the forehead of the congregationThe phrase: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you will return” was not uttered to those who came to the temple.
At the end of the mass, the priest pronounced this phrase for all the faithful. He cleaned his hands and put on the mask to protect his nose and mouth. The parishioners approached in order and keeping distance. He took the ash and dropped it on each one’s head.
“Every year I participate in this ceremony. If the rules of biosecurityEverything will be fine, ”said Luis Heredia, 72 years old.
Augusto Aules He asked God to take care of his family. “I always pray the rosary for God to protect me. I respected the distancing during mass and in line to receive the ash”.
Pablo Flores visited the church of San Francisco and thanked them for being in good health. “Every year I come to Ash Wednesday, I am a very believer.”
To avoid contagion of covid-19, the form of the rite changed for this year, as ordered by the Congregation for the Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, of the Vatican.
The provision was signed at the Vatican, on January 12, by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; and by Monsignor Arthur Roche, Archbishop Secretary.
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