Holy Week activities in Diocese of Kalookan not open to the public
Published Mar 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Leslie Ann Aquino
To prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) and keep communities safe, the Diocese of Kalookan said the liturgical celebrations during Holy Week including Palm Sunday will not be open to the public.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David (CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said this means there will be no public blessing of palms, no Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Good Friday procession, and Easter Salubong.
"However, we encourage the faithful to stay home and follow the said activities on TV, Radio, or online," he said.
David added that parishes and churches will be kept open for those who might wish to pray privately, as well as those who might need their assistance.
The last three Sundays of Lent, including Holy Week , coincide with the Metro Manila Community Quarantine which will last until April 14.
The community quarantine prohibits public assemblies during the period.
A number of dioceses in the country, which include Kalookan, already cancelled public masses.
David asked priests to continue to celebrate Masses and other Liturgical Services for Lent and Easter as scheduled, even without a congregation.
He encouraged the social communications ministry volunteers in all parishes to do what they can to make these celebrations available through social media live streaming.
The faithful, David said will be "dispensed" from their duties to observe Sunday and holy days of obligation while public assemblies are prohibited.
"We enjoin them to pray together at home by following the liturgical celebrations through live Television and Radio broadcasting, or through livestream feeds in the social media until the crisis period is over," said David.
Priests were also urged to continue to make themselves available for requests for the sacrament of Anointing of the sick, as well as for funeral blessings, while complying with DOH directives and observing some restrictions as to the number of participants.
David said priests should also make themselves more available for requests for individual confessions, to make up for the absence of Communal Penitential Services, otherwise known as “Kumpisalang Bayan.”
The prelate also called for days of penance, prayer, and fasting during all the Fridays of Lent (March 20, 27, & April 3), including Good Friday, (April 10).
Parish priests, David said, should ring their parish Church bells four times a day—at 6 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. for the Angelus along with the Oratio Imperata, and at 8 p.m. for the praying of the Rosary.
To the faithful, the prelate enjoined them to be particularly mindful of the poor—especially those severely affected by the current crisis.
"Let us, as members of the Body of Christ, take this crisis as an opportunity to express genuine care and compassion to the least of our brothers and sisters.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David (CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said this means there will be no public blessing of palms, no Visita Iglesia, Siete Palabras, Good Friday procession, and Easter Salubong.
"However, we encourage the faithful to stay home and follow the said activities on TV, Radio, or online," he said.
David added that parishes and churches will be kept open for those who might wish to pray privately, as well as those who might need their assistance.
The last three Sundays of Lent, including Holy Week , coincide with the Metro Manila Community Quarantine which will last until April 14.
The community quarantine prohibits public assemblies during the period.
A number of dioceses in the country, which include Kalookan, already cancelled public masses.
David asked priests to continue to celebrate Masses and other Liturgical Services for Lent and Easter as scheduled, even without a congregation.
He encouraged the social communications ministry volunteers in all parishes to do what they can to make these celebrations available through social media live streaming.
The faithful, David said will be "dispensed" from their duties to observe Sunday and holy days of obligation while public assemblies are prohibited.
"We enjoin them to pray together at home by following the liturgical celebrations through live Television and Radio broadcasting, or through livestream feeds in the social media until the crisis period is over," said David.
Priests were also urged to continue to make themselves available for requests for the sacrament of Anointing of the sick, as well as for funeral blessings, while complying with DOH directives and observing some restrictions as to the number of participants.
David said priests should also make themselves more available for requests for individual confessions, to make up for the absence of Communal Penitential Services, otherwise known as “Kumpisalang Bayan.”
The prelate also called for days of penance, prayer, and fasting during all the Fridays of Lent (March 20, 27, & April 3), including Good Friday, (April 10).
Parish priests, David said, should ring their parish Church bells four times a day—at 6 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. for the Angelus along with the Oratio Imperata, and at 8 p.m. for the praying of the Rosary.
To the faithful, the prelate enjoined them to be particularly mindful of the poor—especially those severely affected by the current crisis.
"Let us, as members of the Body of Christ, take this crisis as an opportunity to express genuine care and compassion to the least of our brothers and sisters.