Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu, the Priest-in-Charge of Catholic Church of the Presentation, Festac Town, has said the Ash Wednesday service this year would be a little different from that of previous years.

The priest said, “In the Catholic liturgy, there is usually a rite of the blessings of ashes, then the holy water is sprinkled and thereafter, the ashes are put on the foreheads of worshippers who come for the ceremony.”

However, he noted that the difference in the Ash Wednesday service compared to that of previous years was in line with guidelines rolled out by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Martins.

“Then the priest, without saying anything because those words that we usually say to individuals, will be said in a communal manner, will be said once and for all to everyone. ‘Remember, you are dust and unto dust shall you return’ or ‘Repent and believe in him.’

“Either of the two, not both together. Then the priest, who’s also wearing a face mask puts the ashes on foreheads as we usually do. Those are the protocols we are following this year,” Mr. Godonu explained.

He further said the Ash Wednesday mass was open to everyone and non-Catholics can also receive the ash.

(NAN)