Celebrating the liturgy in this first phase

By Msgr. James P. Moroney
Director of the Office for Divine Worship

Public Masses in the Diocese of Worcester can be held beginning tomorrow. In a decree dated May 18, Bishop McManus lifted his suspension of public celebrations of the liturgy effective May 23. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the bishop suspended all public Masses as of March 17. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker had set a 25-person limit on gatherings, including in places of worship. A week later that limit was dropped to 10 and all non-essential work places were closed.
On Monday Gov. Baker announced the state’s reopening plan and included houses of worship, construction projects and manufacturing as places that could open immediately.
Noting that the original purpose of the suspension was to slow the spread of COVID-19, Bishop McManus recalled how “we have prayed for an end to the pandemic, cared for the sick, buried the dead, consoled the mourning and proclaimed the Gospel through innovative means” in the intervening weeks.
Having now “reached the point at which the spread of the virus has slowed sufficiently as to allow for us to return to church,” the bishop also directed that liturgical adaptations, enumerated in “Orantes,” the diocesan liturgical newsletter, be implemented in each of the parishes and Catholic institutions of the diocese. Public celebrations of the Mass and sacraments cannot resume at a parish until it can comply with all of the safety standards required, the bishop stated. As a result, some parishes will not be ready to open their doors until next weekend.
First among these adaptations is the requirement that all priests “carefully observe the restrictions which continue to be imposed by government authorities in the interest of public health.”

Social Distancing

On the same day as the decree, Gov. Baker modified his restriction on public gatherings. Where only 10 persons were allowed to gather under his previous order, now 40 percent of the occupancy rate of each church may gather. In some parishes that 40 percent may be lower to maintain the social distancing requirement.
Noting the “continuing and specific danger presented by this virus to older people and those with certain health conditions,” Bishop McManus continued his lifting of the obligation to take part in the Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.

Decree

The decree and accompanying guidelines for celebrating the liturgy in this first phase of reopening are available on the website of the Diocese of Worcester at https://bit.ly/3cO03t5.
The guidelines begin by addressing preparations which pastors will make before people arrive at church, each of which are designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. They include the removal of holy water from fonts and the removal of hymnals and missalettes. Careful attention is paid to the cleaning and sanitation of the church between Masses and the placement of tape on the floor at six-foot intervals to promote social distancing. The guidelines also required that “people should be seated at least six feet apart in every-other pew. Removable tape should be used to block off pews.”
All members of the congregation will be asked to wear masks or a face covering and “observe a minimum of a six foot social distance,” although families will be allowed to sit together.

At Communion time

Pastors are asked to train ushers, recruited from among from the younger and healthier parishioners, who will direct parishioners when they arrive at church and assist with maintaining social distancing during the reception of holy Communion: “At the time for distribution of holy Communion, [ushers will] direct communicants to leave their pews one row at a time while observing the requisite social distancing. As each person leaves their pew the usher will also give them a squirt of hand sanitizer to sanitize their hands before receiving holy Communion.”
Several adaptations have been introduced into the way that Mass is celebrated in this first phase of returning to church. While choirs will not be allowed, a cantor and organist may lead the congregation in the most important acclamations. Hymns, however, will not be sung by the congregation in order to prevent the aerosolization of the virus.
Processions through the congregation have been eliminated, as has the passing of the basket at the collection. Free-standing containers are recommended, into which parishioners might place their donations as they enter or leave the building.
The exchange of the sign of peace and the shaking of hands at the end of Mass have also been eliminated in order to prevent the transmission of the virus.
Communion will be given only under the form of bread and a “public health preference” is expressed for the reception of Communion in the hand, although the guidelines recognize the right of the communicant to receive on the tongue.
During the distribution of Communion communicants will be reminded to maintain a strict six-foot social distance from the person in front of them. Communicants will remove their mask for the reception of Communion. The priest or other ministers of Communion will wear a mask in order to reduce the spread of the virus. Communion ministers and communicants are asked to use hand sanitizer before and after the distribution of Communion.
If a Communion minister suspects that he has touched the tongue or the hand of a communicant he will stop distributing Communion, purify his hands and then return to the distribution. Priests in a higher-risk group may choose not to distribute Communion when younger/healthier priests, deacons or even extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist are present.

The second half of the guidelines pertains to the celebration of the sacraments. Because traditional confessionals are not designed in a way which would prevent the transmission of virus, a large room or, even better, an outside confessional is suggested. Guidance is also given to priests on safe procedures for the anointing of the sick, funerals and weddings.
Quoting from Pope Francis’ homily at his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on March 27, Bishop McManus concluded by recalling how Christ has called us from the cross “to rediscover the life that awaits us, to look towards those who look to us, to strengthen, recognize and foster the grace that lives within us. Let us not quench the wavering flame that never falters, and let us allow hope to be rekindled.”