Catholics around the island gathered to genuflect, and receive the ashes that officially mark the Lenten season. But due to COVID-19, like last year the church administered the ashes in a non-traditional way.

"The ashes will be sprinkled on top of your head, instead of the traditional forehead," explained Father Mike Crisostomo, pastor of the Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in Tamuning.  "We're still keeping our guard up, because it's still congregation gathering. We want to make sure that the gov doesn't close us again. So, we want to make sure that we're doing our part for the safety of our people."

Father Mike said how what was once used as mark to publicly shame sinners has evolved to a symbol of humility. "The ashes now are a symbolic way of understanding that we owe penitence," the priest said. "We are in need of forgiveness and mercy in our lives and in that comes through God."

The Lenten season is a time for Catholics to reevaluate their lives, their relationship with God, and to practice the spiritual discipline of sacrifice, fasting, and abstaining. Choir Director for Saint Francis Church, Cathy Calvo Cruz shares how in the past, she herself fell from the faith, but rediscovered peace and solace when she returned.

"So I want to tell the Catholics that are out there that whenever you feel that you have broken away, and you've committed sin God will take you back no matter what you've done, and you need to know that," said Father Mike.

"Are we here on this Earth to do what we want to do, or to do the bidding of God?"

The season of sacrifice also serves as a reminder to Catholics, that one day this life will pass. "It reminds us of who we are, where we will be at the end of our lives on this planet. We will return back to dust, and because of that teeny tiny little timeline that we have on this Earth we need to make the best, and do the best every second in our life," Father Mike said.