Like several other traditions that have been not followed due to the pandemic, it is understood that on Ash Wednesday the priest will not make the sign of the cross on the forehead of the faithful with the ash and recite the words ‘Dust thou are and to dust thou shall return’. It is understood that the Archdiocese of Goa has instructed the priests to say it just once for the congregation and then distribute the ashes to those who come to him or sprinkle the ashes on the head of each faithful without reciting anything. This is being done in accordance with the guidance of the Vatican which has been circulated to all the parishes in the state. It is pertinent to note that during the pandemic all the churches were closed and people followed the mass online on their TV sets or their mobiles. When the churches started to open, all SOPs were followed and the communion host was not placed on the tongue of the faithful by the priest but rather placed on the palm. Due to the restriction in the number of people that can be accommodated in the churches in order to maintain social distancing, people will be allowed to carry the ashes for their near and dear ones back home. For this, the church could make a small container available before the mass in order to make it easier to carry the ashes.
