CIRCULAR

Prtcl. No. 006 s. 2020

TO : ALL THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS AND THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO

RE : GUIDELINES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY WEEK 2020 IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PALO

My dear Brothers and Sisters,

“…He sent out Peter and John, instructing them: Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover” (Lk. XXII: 8). In the midst of this turbulence, these words of our Lord (originally addressed to his disciples) are directed to us as well. The recollection and memory of our Lord’s salvific actions are presented to us, on these trying times, with greater urgency and profound reflection. 

  1. Palm Sunday – All priests must celebrate the Sunday of the Passion of the Lord “sine populo” (with only one minister). The faithful are advised to participate in the Mass through available media. During the prayer of the blessing of Palms, they are to raise their “palms” (Lukay). (In the measure that is possible, after the Mass, the priest/s may go around the entire parish to bless the palms WITHOUT HOLY WATER. Should this be done, the faithful should prepare an “altar” outside their houses on which to lay their “palms” and other religious articles.)
  2. Chrism Mass – I have decided to postpone this to a later date. I shall communicate with you as soon as we are back to normalcy. 
  3. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper – All priests must celebrate the Mass “sine populo” (with only one minister). The washing of the feet is omitted. The mass goes on following the formulary of the day. There is no “procession” and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, but the altar and the tabernacle must be emptied as is usually done.
  4. Good Friday – All priests must celebrate the “Passion of the Lord” “sine populo” (with only one minister). The celebration is done using the formulary/instructions for all three parts (celebration of the Word, Veneration of the Cross and Holy Communion). In keeping with the Instructions from Rome, special intentions must be included: For the Sick, the lost and dismayed. Pursuant to the same instructions the procession is postponed to another date. It is suggested that it be transferred to September 14-15. However, it would do a great help and blessing for the faithful that you install an altar at the main door of the Church on which to put the “santo entierro” (should this be done, faithful who come to venerate must maintain order and observe social and physical distancing protocols.) Reflections/meditations of the Seven Last Words are suggested for the spiritual nourishment of the faithful (which must be done before the celebration of the Passion). 
  5. Easter Vigil – All priests must celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass “sine populo” (with only one minister). The preparation and lighting of the fire are omitted. The paschal candle is lit and exsultet follows immediately. The Liturgy of the Word takes place. Invoking pastoral reasons, the number of Old Testament readings may be reduced to three. For the Liturgy of Baptism, the renewal of baptismal promises alone is necessary. The mass continues following the formulary.

NOTE: The altars of each house must remain during the entire Holy Week with all the religious images on them. On Easter Sunday the Blessed Sacrament should be carried around the entire parish; the priests may determine its time (in the morning after the mass or in the evening but always in keeping with the civil prescriptions regarding curfews). During the Paschal Triduum, priests living in a house should celebrate together for Morning Divine Office and for the afternoon or evening Liturgy. Advise the faithful to participate in all the celebrations through the available media.

In the meantime, I admonish you to make yourselves pastorally available for our faithful. The prevalent situation should not stop us from doing acts of mercy especially to those in dire need. In a very particular way let us be one with the front liners in whatever possible means available. 

Given this 28th day of March in the year of our Lord 2020 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center and Chancery, Palo, Leyte.

(SGD) ♱ MOST REV. JOHN F. DU, D.D.
Archbishop of Palo

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* Guidelines further Explained
* DECREE: On the Special Intention to be added to the Solemn Intercessions during the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord for the year 2020 only