The Archdiocese of Manila said those who cannot go to church would be allowed to burn palms or other tree branches and leaves and use its ashes for the commemoration of Ash Wednesday.
In his Circular No. 2021-05, Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo issued the commemoration guidelines for the event on February 7, 2021, which marks the start of Lent.
“For those who will not be able to go to church for the celebration of Ash Wednesday, we are providing the liturgical celebrations for the burning of palms or any dried leaves to ashes and the liturgy of Ash Wednesday for families at home,” Pabillo said.
The resulting ash could be placed by the families on their foreheads, which is a Catholic tradition to remind them of death and repentance.
The circular also contained guidelines for parishes on what alternative raw materials they could use to produce their ashes.
For parishes, which will have difficulty from securing old blessed palm branches, Pabillo said they could use dried leaves of plants or trees to produce their ashes.
Traditionally, the palm branches are donated by parishioners to their parish.
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