Revised Pastoral Advisory #6 on Holy Week Liturgical Celebrations

GUIDELINES ON OUR HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS

We made our guidelines, which we already sent to you, for our Holy Week Celebrations (Pastoral Advisory #6) after consulting 3 documents: (1) CBCP Recommendations for the Celebrations of Holy Week during the Quarantine Period (2020), (2) the Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments dated March 19, 2020, and (3) the Considerations of Fr. Joel Caasi of our ALC for our Upcoming Holy Week Celebration during the Quarantine Period 2020 in the Archdiocese of Davao.

On March 25, 2020, the Holy See issued a Supplementary Decree In Time of Covid-19. Below, we refer to these two decrees from the Holy See as Vatican Guidelines 1 and 2. Now, with this recent Supplementary Vatican Guidelines No. 2, we have come up with the following revised guidelines for our Archdiocese:

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. All our liturgical celebrations during Holy Week will be celebrated in “private”, that is, without the public in attendance.
2. In these “private” celebrations, the number of assisting ministers should be kept to the minimum. Thus, in particular, a choir cannot be present. In this way, we can strictly observe “social distancing/physical distancing” without sacrificing the solemnity and dignity of the celebrations.
3. All our liturgical celebrations will be broadcasted and livestreamed through our Catholic Radio Station DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM. Our SOCCOM will assist parishes to be able to set up their own Facebook livestreams. Doing broadcast and livestreaming for our faithful is very much emphasized in both Vatican Guidelines 1 and 2.
   1. Be reminded that since all our liturgical celebrations are livestreamed and we presiders are very new to this set-up, care should be taken that our liturgy is well prepared.
   2. Both Vatican Guidelines also emphasize that all that we present through DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM and FB account of parishes must be live coverages and not pre-recorded coverages.
   3. The live coverage will be of both celebrations in the Cathedral and in the Parishes.
   4. Both Vatican Guidelines further emphasize that the information and schedule of these broadcasts and livestream feeds must be well announced to our faithful.
4. In the succeeding sections of this set of guidelines, you will come across lines asking our attention to focus on the Palms, Paschal Candle, Altar, Tabernacle, Crucifix, and lights and flowers. Thus, you may think that we are simply focusing on material things and objects. Let us remember that the Mysteries of our Lord celebrated in the Liturgy and are the subject of our worship and prayer in the Liturgy, are grasped by us in faith through signs and symbols perceptible to the senses.
5. It is very important that our faithful, who follow these Holy Week Liturgical Rites, be advised to do this in a prayerful manner and in a prayerful atmosphere and setting. We strongly suggest that our faithful do this at home together with their own families. This is very clearly emphasized in the Vatican Guidelines No. 2.

IN PARTICULAR:

1. PALM SUNDAY

For the Liturgy of the Cathedral and Parish Churches on Palm Sunday:

Although the Vatican Guidelines No. 2 suggested to use the Solemn Entrance (second form) for the Cathedral Liturgy, and the Simple Entrance (third form) for the parish churches, after studying these two forms in our present context of celebrating Palm Sunday without the public in attendance, we suggest that this part of the celebration, both in the Cathedral and in the parish, be done in the following manner:

While a minister reads/chants the Entrance Antiphon, maybe twice or thrice, the Archbishop/Priest enters the sanctuary, goes to the front of the altar, makes the customary reverence towards the altar, turns around, and begins the Mass with the Rite of Blessing of Palms. He blesses the palms prepared for this liturgy with Holy Water and turns around (facing the camera) to bless the palms of the faithful watching through the FB livestream.

This rite of blessing ends with the reading of the Gospel. After the reading of the Gospel, the Archbishop/Priest proceeds to the presider’s chair and there he prays the Collect of the Mass.

Please take further note of the following:

1. For this Mass, the Vatican Guidelines No. 2 says that concelebration is to be avoided.
2. For the Liturgy of the Mass of Palm Sunday, the faithful, who will be following the celebration at home on our DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM broadcast and FB livestream as well as on the parish FB livestream, can hold their palm branches while the Prayer of Blessing of Palms is prayed by the Presider. In this case, for them who follow the celebration in their homes on our radio and social media, there is no need for Holy Water to be sprinkled on their palms. The Prayer of Blessing that they see and hear on FB livestream is sufficient.
3. The reading of the Passion Narrative must be prepared well. The Passion Narrative is read by the presider himself; or if there is a deacon, the presider reads the part of “Christ” and the deacon reads the rest of the Passion Narrative. What is important is that the reading of the Passion Narrative should be well prepared ahead of time.
4. In the liturgical place of this “private” celebration, care must be taken for a dignified and beautiful placement and display of palms to be blessed by the presider.

2. CHRISM MASS

1. The Chrism Mass in the Archdiocese of Davao is traditionally celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday in accord with ancient tradition. Because of our current situation and with the permission of the Holy See, we have decided to postpone our Chrism Mass to a later date.
2. On the Blessing and Consecration of Oils which we, in practice, include in the Chrism Mass: If it is considered that we need new oils at this time, the Bishop will celebrate the rite of blessing and consecration of the oils in “private”.

3. HOLY THURSDAY

For the guidance of all priests: In normal times, we celebrate the Holy Thursday Liturgy deeply conscious of the close relationship between the Eucharist and our priestly vocation and ministry. But many of us cannot celebrate this liturgy now as presiders nor as concelebrants because of the Vatican Guidelines No. 2 indicating the avoidance of concelebration. But we are also comforted by what the Vatican Guidelines 1 and 2 say: “On this day the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of people, is exceptionally granted to all priests”. In other words, priests can celebrate mass individually but taking care not to livestream it.

For the celebration of the Liturgy in the cathedral and parish churches, please take note of the following:

1. The tabernacle is to be kept open and empty from the beginning of the Liturgy until the time when the presider places the Blessed Sacrament into it.
2. In the celebration of the Liturgy of the Mass on Holy Thursday, the Washing of Feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted.
3. At the end of the Mass, the procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is to be omitted.
4. The presider, after communion:
   1. He prepares on the corporal a designated consecrated big host in a lunette, making it ready to be placed into the monstrance.
   2. After doing this, he goes back to the presider’s chair and says the Prayer After Communion.
   3. After this prayer, he goes to the altar and places the consecrated host into the monstrance. This means that a minister will have a monstrance ready on the altar for this purpose.
5. After the presider has placed the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance, he and the liturgical ministers go down and kneel facing the altar, and adore in silence the Blessed Sacrament for a certain period of time. It is advisable that a kneeler is prepared for this.
6. After this period of silent adoration, the presider goes to the altar and takes the Blessed Sacrament from the monstrance and places it into the Tabernacle. Then he genuflects, closes the tabernacle, and without saying any word, makes the customary reverence towards it. This concludes the Liturgy proper.
7. The period of silent adoration will continue to be livestreamed. It is up to the parish priest and the cathedral liturgy-in-charge to decide the length of time for this silent period of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the Tabernacle.
8. This moment of silent adoration, continued to be viewed by our faithful through FB livestreaming, serves as their Visita Iglesia.
9. The place of celebration should be appropriately decorated with flowers. In addition, the decor should help focus our attention on the Altar, remembering that this liturgy is a commemoration of the first Eucharist. The decor must also help us focus our attention on the Tabernacle into which the Blessed Sacrament from the Mass is reserved.

4. THE TRADITIONAL REFLECTIONS ON THE SIETE PALABRAS

As before, the practice of having the Seven Last Words broadcasted on GMA TV will continue. Of course, the setting of the delivery of the reflections will be without the public in attendance.

This will also be broadcasted and livestreamed by our DXGN 89.9 Spirit FM.

5. GOOD FRIDAY

The Liturgy of Good Friday, like the other rites described above, is to be celebrated in “private”.

Please take note of the following:

1. The reading of the Passion Narrative must be prepared well. The Passion Narrative is read by the presider himself; or if there is a deacon, the presider reads the part of “Christ” and the deacon reads the rest of the Passion Narrative. What is important is that the reading of the Passion Narrative should be well prepared ahead of time.
2. During the Universal Prayers in this Liturgy, both Vatican Guidelines indicate that the bishop will see to it that there is a special intention for the sick, the dead, and those who feel lost or dismayed (cf. Missale Romanum, pag. 314 n. 13). And, therefore, a text for this special intention will be prepared for all.
3. During the Veneration of the Cross in this Liturgy, the Vatican Guidelines No. 2 says: “The adoration of the Cross by kissing it shall be limited solely to the celebrant.”
4. At the end of the Liturgy, it should be noted in particular that the Crucifix, which is used during the Liturgy, is to be kept displayed on an appropriate and dignified stand. Needless to say, care should be taken that this is carried out properly. Thus, by this, we are helped in our silent prayerful veneration of the Cross, bringing us to a deeper appreciation of the mystery of Christ’s suffering and death on the Cross for our salvation.
5. The presider should spend time in silent veneration. Other priests may later on take their turns in silent veneration. Let us not forget that this moment is continually shown through FB live streaming for our faithful in their homes, allowing them to have their moment of prayerful veneration of the Cross.
6. As we provide this moment for our faithful through livestreaming, we remember the scene every Good Friday of our faithful waiting in long lines for their turn to venerate the crucifix. We also remember the moment of our solemn Santo Entierro procession.
7. The place of the Liturgy should be prepared and arranged as it is prescribed for the Good Friday Liturgy, meaning, the sanctuary is bare, the altar isbare, the tabernacle is open and empty, etc.

6. EASTER VIGIL

According to the Vatican Guidelines 1 and 2: The Easter Vigil Liturgy “… is to be celebrated only in Cathedral and parish churches“.

Please take note of the following:

1. The Vatican Guidelines No. 2 indicates that concelebration is to be avoided.
2. For this Easter Vigil Liturgy, the greatest and the most noble of all solemnities, a suggestion: One cantor (only one!) can be present, with one accompanist behind the scene, to lead us in the singing of some important parts of this joyous and solemn liturgy, for example, the Exsultet and the Gloria. (Confer Roman Missal, pag. 329, no.19)
   

   <19. The Easter Proclamation may be made, in the absence of a Deacon, by the Priest himself or by another concelebrating Priest. If, however, because of necessity, a lay cantor sings the Proclamation, the words Therefore, dearest friends up to the end of the invitation are omitted, along with the greeting The Lord be with you.

   The Proclamation may also be sung in the shorter form.>

3. At “The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil or Lucenarium” the preparation and lighting of the fire is omitted, the Paschal Candle is lit, the procession is omitted, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) follows.
4. The “Liturgy of the Word” then takes place.In the preparation for the readings, care should be taken in deciding the number and selection of readings.
5. For the “Baptismal Liturgy” the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” alone is necessary (cf. Missale Romanum, page. 371, n. 55). The “Liturgy of the Eucharist” then follows.
6. The place of celebration should be decorated with dignity befitting the joy of the Easter Liturgy, giving special attention to lights and flowers that should help focus our attention on the Altar and the Paschal Candle.
7. A beautiful stand for the Easter Candle should be well prepared and decorated.
8. Again, the presider together with the other ministers should spend time in silent prayer after the liturgy has ended.

7. EASTER SUNDAY MORNING MASS

Let us remember that the traditional Mass with the Sugat at dawn is a tradition that is cherished by our people. It is just but highly pastorally recommended to have an early morning Mass. We know that there is a curfew from 9:00 p.m. up to 5:00 a.m..

Please take note of the following:

1. Since people cannot leave their homes anyway because of the city quarantine measures, we schedule the “private” Mass of the Sugat of Sunday Morning at 5:00 a.m. Like the other celebrations, this will be livestreamed.
2. We remind ourselves here of the Vatican Guideline on the avoidance of concelebration.
3. It is suggested that before the Mass begins, in a dignified and solemn way, designated ministers (Remember the minimum number of ministers!) bring the statues of the Risen Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary and place them on well-prepared and decorated stands. By this simple entrance and the putting in place of these two statues, we remember the Sugat.
4. Again, a reminder: The liturgical space should be beautifully decorated, befitting the joy of the Easter Liturgy. The Easter Candle is prominently displayed.
5. Like the other ceremonies mentioned above, we suggest that the presider and the other ministers will observe moments of silent adoration after the rites have ended. It is strongly suggested that the whole sanctuary scene will continue to be livestreamed for some time for our faithful to be encouraged to continue their period of silent prayer.

Devotedly yours in Christ,

+ROMULO G. VALLES, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
28 March 2020