Holy Week 2020 will surely be remembered for the next decades to come.
Since the Catholic Church announced that all public Holy Masses will be suspended to help flatten the curve of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Filipino Catholics will be observing this year’s Holy Week at home.
Last Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week, was the first time since World War II that no public celebration was held.
Since provinces and most of the major cities in the country are under enhanced community quarantine, Masses will be live-streamed online by churches all over the Philippines and even from the Vatican until further notice.
In this article, CDN Digital compiled some steps to ensure that you can keep your celebration holy and how to pray from home.
Create a sacred space
It’s best that you eliminate distractions at home.
Try to rearrange your furniture and dedicate a sacred space at home.
Set out a crucifix and make up a little altar. Light a candle or more if you like and have a photo of Jesus and the Blessed Mother.
Then open your bible to the Gospel reading.
Watch a livestream
Connect with your church or parish through social media. You can also contact your nearest church through their contact numbers that you found on the internet or in the newspaper.
Check if they will be conducting Mass via Facebook Live, YouTube Live or another live-streaming website.
Dioceses and other Catholic organizations are providing materials and access to live streaming of Masses.
You can also check Pope Francis’ Holy Week Rites or check the latest Vatican News.
Prepare and Participate actively
When you’re planning to attend an online or televised Mass, dress appropriately like you would when you’re attending Mass at church.
Observe a few minutes of silence before the Mass begins.
Say the prayers and responses of the Mass out loud. Also stand, kneel and sit at the right times.
Put your phones and other gadgets on silent, so you can give all of your attention to the Mass.
Reflect on the Gospel
After the online or televised mass that you attended, spend some time in silence with your family.
Have a simple meditation on the Gospel and discuss it by having a conversation.
Decide on who will take the lead for a time of prayer even when it is not Sunday.
Make a spiritual communion
An ancient practice of the Church for those who cannot be present at Mass is to make a spiritual communion.
St. John Paul II wrote that “it is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist.” This was the origin of the practice of ‘spiritual communion.’
When unable to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, you can gather with others in your household and begin a time of prayer with the sign of the cross.
Have a simple prayer you can pray with longing in your heart to be united to Jesus.
These are only suggestions on what you should do if you can’t attend Mass.
If you have more suggestions, let us know in the comments section of this video so other people can also read them.
In these times let’s consider it an opportunity to focus on what matters, our faith and our families.
Let’s learn from the words of Pope Francis when he said, “May each family rediscover family prayer, which helps to bring about mutual understanding and forgiveness.”
/dbs
