After not being allowed to attend Holy Week observations in Catholic churches in the Rio Grande Valley last year because they were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the churches will be opened this year for Holy Week.
The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville on Monday released a list of health and safety protocols for churches to follow during this year’s observations.
Bishop Daniel E. Flores said physical distancing, the use of facial mask and the use of hand sanitizers will continue as well as the disinfecting of churches after each Mass.
The following protocols must also be followed:
Palm Sunday: Palms may be blessed at the beginning of Mass but there will be no gatherings or processions in the church. Palms may be distributed as people enter or leave the church. The palms should be disinfected before being handed out. Volunteers handing out the palms should wear masks and disinfect their hands before handing out the palms.
Chrism Mass: Will be celebrated March 30 at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine. No large groups of laity should be invited to attend the Mass due to limited seating. There will be no formal procession of the clergy at the entrance or conclusion of the Mass.
Holy Thursday: Traditional distribution of loaves of bread to parishioners should not be observed. There will be no washing of the feet. The transfer of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of the Mass takes place with the usual procession of the Eucharist as indicated in the rite. Although the faithful may visit seven churches after the Mass- which is customary- they should not go inside the churches but park in the parking lots and offer prayers. Parishes might consider decorating the doors of the church in someway in honor of the night’s vigil.
Good Friday: The veneration of the Holy Cross should consist of only a bow to the Cross. Kissing the Cross nor touching the feet of the Crucified or the Cross is not possible under these conditions. Stations of the Cross should not involve processions or movements of people. Live Stations of the Cross should not be celebrated this year.
Easter Vigil: Lighted candles cannot be used by the faithful during the Vigil, since extinguishing them will cause health risks. A procession with the Easter Candle and the assembled people outside the church and moving into the church is not possible. The candle should be blessed either in view of the faithful or outside, while the faithful wait in the church. People may bring water to be blessed for home use but should not be given blessed water from a baptismal fount or other common container. Priests may offer a general blessing of water filled containers at an appropriate time.
Flores said the Sacraments of initiation should be celebrated according to protocols at a late date during the Easter Season.
