Clergy in Zambia’s Ndola Diocese to Use "any decent leaves, branches" for Ash Wednesday

The Local Ordinary of Ndola goes on to highlight ways for the distribution of the ashes. 

For one, Priests "explain the significance of the ashes to the congregants before starting the distribution of the ashes." 

"Ashes be distributed after the Thanksgiving Hymn," the Bishop says, and finally, ashes be given to the faithful using a spoon and the recipient applies "the ashes to their own foreheads and to their children and minors under their charge." 

In the February 9 message, the Bishop of Ndola also directs that the Way of the Cross, which will take place every Friday during Lent, be attended by a small number of Christians. 

To ensure smooth progress of the Way of the Cross, Bishop Phiri urges the leadership of Parishes in the Zambian Diocese to "prepare attendance schedules going by the number of Small Christian Communities they have for their respective Parishes to ensure the even distribution of the faithful." 

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The 61-year-old Prelate says his directives are informed by the presence of the "second wave of the pandemic of COVID-19 which seems to be on the rise in our Diocese."

The Southern African nation has been experiencing a surge in reported cases of COVID-19 since December 2020.

There are at least 64,610 reported cases of the coronavirus, including 881 fatalities and 58,319 recoveries in Zambia.

In his February 9 message, Bishop Phiri urges members of the Clergy, Religious men and women and the Lay faithful to adhere to COVID-19 health precautions. 

"Let us remain a faith community that takes responsibility for each other's well-being," the Zambian Bishop says and urges the people of God under his pastoral care to be united in prayer.