There will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and no public activities in all the churches in the Archdiocese of Manila for seven days, starting Saturday, March 14, until Friday, March 20.
In a pastoral letter, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Apostolic Administrator of Manila, said this is for the good of all to avert the further spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He said this was also in response to the call of the government to avoid large gatherings of people amid the rise in the number of COVID cases in the country.
“We heed this call not with panic but with care for charity to others and the common good. Hence in the Archdiocese of Manila I dispense all the faithful from the obligation of going to Mass this Sunday,” said Pabillo.
“I recognize that this may impact many faithful and priests but let us do this with the spirit of sacrifice for the good of all,” he added.
Pabillo said those who wish to hear Mass may use the social media or tune in to Radio Veritas 846 and TV Maria for their regular broadcasts of Masses and other religious activities.
He said although there will be no public celebration of Holy Mass, the faithful should strive to be in touch with the Lord by fervently praying.
“Thus from March 14 onwards let all the bells of our churches be rung every 12 noon and 8 PM to call all people to pray the ‘Oratio Imperata’ (mandatory prayer) to fight this virus. Let us join in this prayer,” he said.
“The fervent prayers of all the people of God will draw us closer to him and away from the scourge of this disease,” added Pabillo.
He enjoined parishes and places of prayer to be open all day so that people may come and find solace in silent prayer.
But, Pabillo said sanitizers should be available at the entrances and churches should be regularly cleaned.
The prelate also discouraged the holding of Kumpisalang Bayan but priests were instructed to give definite time to hear individual confessions during the day to be of service to the penitents who come.
‘PAHALIK’ STOPPED
Quiapo Church in Manila temporarily stopped the “pahalik” (kissing) of the Black Nazarene to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.
The church informed devotees of the Nazareno of the decision in a Facebook post Thursday.
“Sa lahat ng mga deboto, mananampalataya sa Poong Hesus Nazareno
“Ang pahalik ay pansamantalang isinara sa publiko bilang pag-iingat sa paglaganap ng COVID-19. Maaari po natin ituloy ang pagdarasal ng taimtim sa loob ng simbahan.”
“Anuman pong idinulog na mga panalangin ay makakaasa po na makakarating sa Poong Nazareno
“Patuloy po natin ipagdasal ang Bansa at ang bawat isa.” read the post. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)
