Protocols On Resumption Of Public Masses

The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new era even for the Catholic Church, which has come up with ways to celebrate liturgy while preventing the spread of the disease.

SAN MATEO, Rizal — Amid concerns about the spread of the COVID-19, Catholic faithful petitions to reopen the church for the celebration of the Holy Mass.

Due to strict quarantine protocols, Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of Aranzazu (DSPNSDA) has been active and creative in delivering mass and other religious services online since the lockdown. However, Catholic leaders request for the resumption of public masses on the condition that they will do it with precautions.

The Church waits for the reconsideration of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) in its earlier ruling on the conduct of religious activities under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) and General Community Quarantine (GCQ). Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo had released protocols or guidelines to the new normal that will be allowed to celebrate the Sacraments with the people, especially the Holy Eucharist.

For the Holy mass, wearing a face mask is a must in all liturgical services. Physical distancing must be observed at all times, putting markers on the benches/pews inside the church to indicate where parishioners could go and sit, for the mass servers, only healthy 21 to 59 years olds are allowed to serve for the mass.

Choirs assigned in every mass must not have more than five (5) members (instrumentalist included) and singing may be lessened. The list of recommended songs during Sunday masses are the following but still depending on the discretion of the parish priest to lessen but not to add more songs: Entrance Song, Alleluia, Offertory Song, Sanctus (optional), Great Amen, Our Father, Communion Song, and Recessional Song (optional).

Offering of ciborium and cruets during offertory will not be allowed. Collection baskets must have a minimum of one (1) meter handle and not the pass around basket, holding of hands while singing or praying of the “Our Father” and shaking of hands during the Sign of Peace is also prohibited.

Sacred hosts will still be distributed only by hand. Priests and lay ministers need to wear face masks and sanitize their hands before and after the distribution of Holy Communion.

DSPNSDA needs to adapt new methods to cope with the “new normal” once the Holy mass celebration resumes. Following these protocols or guidelines are reasonable sacrifices for the safety of the community.