(Photo courtesy of PTV)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- The Archdiocese of Manila will bring back the application of ashes on the forehead with the start of Ash Wednesday tomorrow.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, ashes are only sprinkled on the heads of priests every Ash Wednesday.
Church officials also returned the practice due to a more relaxed COVID-19 health protocol.
The said order was stated in the circular issued by the Archdiocese of Manila.
However, it is still strictly forbidden to self-apply the ashes on one's forehead.
While the sprinkling of ashes on the head has long been practiced in other countries, such as Italy.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will leave it up to local priests to implement the rules for the application of ashes during the observance of Ash Wednesday. (PIA-NCR)