THE CHURCH ON THE LENTEN SEASON AMIDST THE PANDEMIC

Lenten, also known as Kuwaresma, is one of the most important season in Catholic Churches. It is a way to commemorate the sufferings and sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ who washed away the sins of the world by dying on the cross and resurrecting after 3 days. Since we’re in the pandemic, a lot has changed. People was limited to attend masses and some of the traditions was forbid to do. Let’s see how Lenten season was celebrated in the middle of pandemic.

Kuwaresma is derived from the Latin word “Quadragesima” meaning ““the fortieth part” or forty days of preparation. Lent is the period of 40 days which comes before Easter in the Christian calendar. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Lent is a season of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter. By observing the 40 days of Lent, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Since protocols are strictly implemented, the use of facemask and face shield when attending a mass is needed. Just like in typical Sunday masses, the entrance door of churches has a log book to determine who attended the mass for contact tracing. There is also alcohols for hand sanitizing and thermometer for temperature checking. Social distancing is also observed. They don’t fill up the chairs not like before pandemic. Some people didn't even attend physically. Instead, they took masses on televisions, from the radio, or even online. The putting of ash in shape of a cross in the forehead was changed. Instead of putting a cross on the forehead using a finger, they just pinch the ash and sprinkle it on their head to avoid physical contact. Just like the Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday also affected. To avoid crowd, the priest visited every sector to bless the palms. Next is the procession where the saints are being paraded around the central of the city or town. Most churches didn’t allowed or did not do the procession due to strict protocols. So instead, they just do it inside or around the church only. Those are the only changes in celebration of lent. The fasting didn’t changed, the song didn’t changed, the Visita Iglesia although limited also didn’t changed, and the mass itself didn’t changed. All of which are still for the commemoration and being part of the sufferings of Jesus.

Although some things did changed because of the pandemic, the season is still one of the most celebrated season throughout the year for the Catholic Christians. They still preparing and waiting for the time while sharing the sufferings and sacrifices of the Lord until he resurrected and arise from the dead. The pandemic didn’t stopped the people to celebrate such season. It is because the church didn’t forget how Jesus sacrifices his life for the sins of mankind. The essence of the season will forever remain in the hearts of Catholics and even other religions. All through God Almighty.