Central Coast Catholics celebrating Ash Wednesday with COVID changes

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Thousands across the Central Coast are celebrating Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent today.

But with the COVID-19 pandemic, things are a little different this year. For the faithful, Ash Wednesday is an important time to reflect on your life and where you are going. It is especially poignant for many this year, as the pandemic wears on toward summer.

"It's very important, the religious aspect that we can come in and be here. It's more of a spiritual thing this year, where we're going to have to do it at home, but at least we got to get the ash for the Wednesday," said Isabel Montoya, a Salinas resident.

"In that environment, the church is kind of, in Lent, encouraging us to reflect instead of react, reflect who we are, listen not just to God but to others' voices, that kind of thing," said Deacon David Ford, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey.

The Vatican, which is the seat of the Catholic Church, issued new modifications to the way ashes will be administered this year. Normally, the ashes are placed on the forehead directly, but now it is just sprinkled on.

You can also see volunteers wearing masks and using hand sanitizers. Even pastoral utterances normally spoken to every single person, like "Repent and Believe in the Gospel," was only said once to all in a general way.

"The church has tried to be very faithful, not because we're into rules, but we want to be good citizens of our country and our communities. And we want to do what's safe. So if we wear masks, if we modify some of the practices which we would normally not do like singing, it's all for the safety of others," said Deacon Ford.

For the faithful, the changes of COVID-19 have been challening, but at least this is one piece of the church they can take with them.

"It's definitely a different experience. At least here at Madonna Del Sasso, it's very smooth, you just come in and they give you the ash," said Montoya.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Roman Catholic Diocese of Monterey has put out new COVID-19 guidelines for Ash Wednesday.

Their website says in order to have a safe liturgical environment during COVID-19, the Vatican put out modifications to the way people will receive ashes.

One of the changes this year is that ashes will not be placed on the forehead by the clergy, rather ashes will be sprinkled upon the person.

KION's Josh Kristianto will have more tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.