We return with joy to the Eucharist!The Congregation for Divine Worship has published a Note to offer some simple guidelines for this year's Holy Week celebrations, signed by Cardinal Prefect Robert Sarah and Archbishop Arthur Roche, Secretary.
Living Holy Week
The purpose of this note is "to help the Bishops in their task of evaluating concrete situations and to procure the spiritual good of pastors and faithful to live this great Week of the liturgical year".
It is clear that the drama of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes, even in the usual way of celebrating the liturgy. The norms and guidelines contained in the liturgical books, conceived for normal times, are not entirely applicable in exceptional times of crisis such as these.
Prudent decisions
Therefore, says the note, "the Bishop, as moderator of liturgical life in his Church, is called to make prudent decisions so that liturgical celebrations may be carried out fruitfully for the People of God and for the good of the souls entrusted to him, taking into account the protection of health and what has been prescribed by the authorities responsible for the common good".
The Congregation recalls the Decree issued by mandate of the Holy Father, March 25, 2020 (Prot. N. 154/20) in which some orientations are offered for the celebrations of Holy Week. This pronouncement is also valid for this year. The Congregation invites,
therefore, to reread it in view of the decisions that the Bishops will have to make with regard to the upcoming Easter celebrations in the particular situation of their country. In many countries strict conditions of confinement are still in force that make it impossible for the faithful to be present in church, while in others a more normal worship life is being resumed.
General indications
On the one hand, it is suggested to facilitate and privilege the media diffusion of the celebrations presided over by the Bishop, encouraging the faithful who cannot attend their own church to follow the diocesan celebrations as a sign of unity.
In all celebrations, according to the Episcopal Conference, attention should be paid to some particular moments and gestures, respecting sanitary requirements.
The Chrism Mass, if necessary, can be moved to another more suitable day; it is desirable that a significant representation of pastors, ministers and faithful participate.
For the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, the same indications as last year apply.
Changes in the celebrations
Palm Sunday. The Commemoration of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem is to be celebrated inside the sacred building; in cathedral churches, the second form of the Roman Missal is to be adopted; in parish churches and elsewhere, the third form is to be adopted.
Holy Thursday. The washing of the feet, which is now optional, is to be omitted. At the end of the Mass at the Lord's Supper, the procession is also to be omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is to be reserved in the tabernacle. On this day, priests are exceptionally granted the faculty to celebrate Mass without the presence of the people in a suitable place.
Good Friday. In the universal prayer, the Bishops are to prepare a special intention for those in danger, the sick, the deceased (cf. Missale Romanum). Adoration of the Cross with the kiss is to be limited to the celebrant alone.
Easter Vigil. To be celebrated only in cathedral and parish churches. For the baptismal liturgy, only the renewal of baptismal promises is to be kept (cf. Missale Romanum).
It is encouraged to prepare suitable aids for family and personal prayer, also enhancing some parts of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Role of the bishops
Finally, the Congregation sincerely thanks the Bishops and Bishops' Conferences for their pastoral response to a constantly changing situation throughout the year.
They state that they are aware that the decisions taken have not always been easy to accept on the part of pastors and lay faithful. However, -they say- "we know that they were taken to ensure that the holy mysteries were celebrated in the most effective way possible for our communities, respecting the common good and public health".
