The Solemnity of the Resurrection of the Lord will be celebrated on 4 April, and for the second consecutive year the rites of Holy Week will be affected by the regulations aimed at containing the pandemic.
The Covid-19 crisis has also brought many changes to the customary way of celebrating the liturgy, and on Tuesday, 23 February, the Italian Bishops’ Conference published the “Guidelines for Holy Week 2021,” offering precise instructions for the celebrations of this central moment of the liturgical year and concrete directions for implementing the guidelines set out in the “Note to Bishops and Episcopal Conferences on the Celebrations of Holy Week 2021,” issued on 17 February 2021 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments and signed by its prefect, Cardinal Robert Sarah, and its secretary, Archbishop Arthur Roche, and sent to the bishops.
The text recalls that “in many countries, strict lockdown measures are still in force, making it impossible for the faithful to be present in church, while in others a more normal worship life is resuming.” Bishops are therefore called upon to make prudent decisions so that liturgical celebrations may take place fruitfully for the people of God and for the good of the souls entrusted to their care, while safeguarding health and complying with the provisions issued by the authorities responsible for the common good.
The Decree of 25 March 2020, issued at the mandate of Pope Francis, remains valid. The guidelines from last year for the celebrations of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil therefore still apply, and the faithful will be able to attend them. Last year, however, it was not possible to attend the rites in person because of the lockdown that brought the country to a standstill for more than two months.
The provisions of the May 2020 Protocol
Since May of last year, the presence of the faithful, although subject to restrictions and requirements, has been permitted during celebrations, on the basis of the Protocol signed with the President of the Council of Ministers and the Minister of the Interior on May 7, 2020, and supplemented by the subsequent guidelines of the Scientific-Technical Committee. The note from the Episcopal Conference, recalling that the people can participate in person at Mass, urges that this presence also take place during the rites of Holy Week “in compliance with government decrees concerning movement throughout the country and precautionary measures.” The possible presence of a curfew regime - which has already affected, for example, the time at which Christmas Night Mass is celebrated - must also be taken into consideration when setting the time of these celebrations.
Obviously, these particular Masses cannot be repeated during the day. For this reason too, since churches nevertheless have limited seating, the note from the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference mentions the possibility of using social media, “only where strictly necessary or genuinely useful.”
Social media and resources
The note states that “the use of social media has greatly helped pastors offer support and closeness to their communities during the pandemic.” The Note strongly recommends that “any streaming of celebrations should be live and never delayed, and should be particularly carefully produced with respect for the dignity of the liturgical rite.” For this reason too, it is preferable that the “media coverage” of the rites of Holy Week concern in particular “celebrations presided over by the bishop, encouraging the faithful who are unable to attend their own church to follow the diocesan celebrations as a sign of unity.” In all celebrations, in consultation with the Episcopal Conference, it is also necessary to “pay attention to certain particular moments and gestures, in compliance with health requirements.”
Palm Sunday
For Palm Sunday, the Commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem should be celebrated using the second form provided for in the Roman Missal. Gatherings of the faithful should be avoided; ministers and the faithful should hold in their hands the olive or palm branch they brought with them; under no circumstances should branches be distributed or exchanged. Where deemed appropriate, the third form of the Roman Missal should be used, which commemorates the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem in a simple manner.
Chrism Mass
The Chrism Mass should be celebrated on the morning of Holy Thursday or, according to the custom in some Dioceses, on Wednesday afternoon. If “a significant representation of pastors, ministers, and faithful” is prevented, the diocesan Bishop should consider moving it to another day within the Easter season.
Mass in Coena Domini
On Holy Thursday, the washing of the feet should be omitted during the evening Mass of the “Lord’s Supper.” At the end of the celebration, the Blessed Sacrament may be carried, as prescribed by the rite, to the place of reposition in a chapel of the church, where people may remain in adoration, while observing the regulations for the pandemic and any curfew, and avoiding travel between churches beyond their own parish.
Good Friday liturgy
On Good Friday, following the indication in the Roman Missal (“In case of serious public necessity, the Ordinary of the place may permit or establish that a special intention be added,” no. 12), the Bishop should introduce an intention “for those who find themselves in situations of distress, the sick, and the deceased” into the universal prayer. The act of adoring the Cross by kissing it should be limited to the celebrant alone.
Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil may be celebrated in all its parts as prescribed by the rite, at a time compatible with any curfew.
In all celebrations, in consultation with the Episcopal Conference, it is necessary to “pay attention to certain particular moments and gestures, while respecting health requirements.” The preparation of suitable aids for family and personal prayer is also encouraged, making use as well of certain parts of the Liturgy of the Hours.
Finally, bishops are entrusted with the task of “offering appropriate guidance” regarding “expressions of popular piety and processions.”
The CEI Note specifies that these decisions “were made to ensure that the sacred mysteries are celebrated as effectively as possible for our communities, while respecting the common good and public health.”
