The Most Rev. Joel M. Konzen, SM, released the following instructions about Holy Week to pastors and parish leaders on Friday, March 27.

As we come closer to the blessed culmination of the Lenten season, I want to update our timetables relative to the sacred liturgies and the conduct of Palm Sunday and the Triduum, as well as to offer further comment on the administration of sacraments during this time.

We will extend the suspension of public Masses in the Archdiocese through the First Sunday after Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday), hence through April 19, with another update to be offered prior to that weekend. If we should be granted the ability to return to public gatherings sooner, we will, of course, alter this plan accordingly.

Reconciliation

It is no longer appropriate, given the local emergency accommodations, to hear confessions in confessional boxes or confined rooms. This is in keeping with the direction of both the Apostolic Penitentiary (See attached “Note from the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the current pandemic”) and USCCB (See: “The Care of Souls and the Forgiveness of Sins During This Pandemic” at the USCCB website). Individual confessions may be celebrated in a well-ventilated area, which can provide for social distancing and the confidentiality of the confession. The sacrament of Reconciliation is to be celebrated within spaces of the church or parish school buildings which have been prepared for the worthy celebration of the sacrament. If it can be done, it would be good to provide for the anonymity of the penitent for those who desire it. Spaces for confession should minimize the likelihood of multiple people touching surfaces which the next penitent might contact.  Additionally, some of you are under local restrictions that make it impractical to offer an indoor encounter of any kind.

The provision for general absolution is reserved in the Note from the Sacred Penitentiary to very special circumstances, e.g., a hospital ward in which a number of coronavirus patients are sequestered.

Note the guidance from the USCCB Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs in “The Care of Souls and the Forgiveness of Sins During This Pandemic,” reminding of the ability to instruct souls regarding the opportunity to use the Church’s provision of an Act of Perfect Contrition:

“Where the individual faithful find themselves in the painful impossibility of receiving sacramental absolution, it should be remembered that perfect contrition, coming from the love of God, beloved above all things, expressed by a sincere request for forgiveness (that which the penitent is at present able to express) and accompanied by votum confessionis, that is, by the firm resolution to have recourse, as soon as possible, to sacramental confession, obtains forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones (cf. CCC, no. 1452).”

Sacrament of the Sick and Viaticum

For the celebration of the “Last Rites,” Viaticum may be given along with the Anointing of the Sick with the observance of the special protocols (e.g., use of fresh oil, cotton balls/Q-tips, and medical gloves and masks).

To prevent the contamination of the Blessed Sacrament, the priest should bring only the amount of Holy Communion necessary for Viaticum.

Hospital chaplains are to be especially attentive to the directions of their medical institution and use prudence in moving from room to room in pastoral visits, if such visits are allowed.

All priests are reminded to offer the Apostolic Pardon (#265, small green Pastoral Care of the Sick) with or without a celebration of Anointing of the Sick.

Regarding the anointing of someone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, follow the instructions of the health care facility, if the person is under such care, and ask the facility to provide necessary protective garments and face masks. The priest is also allowed by Canon Law to use, in cases of necessity, an “instrument,” which could allow for the use of protective gloves in carrying out the anointing.

First Holy Communion and Confirmations

These will need to be rescheduled once we are able to return to the celebration of regular Masses.

Weddings, Funerals

Weddings and funerals, if they are to be held, should be limited to immediate family and should conform to the stipulations of the local health authority.

RCIA–RELATED PROVISIONS

There will be no Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil this year in the Archdiocese of Atlanta due to the Coronavirus restrictions and precautions in place.

The Office of Formation and Discipleship announces that in-person Parish Schools of Religion are recessed until Monday, April 20. Prior to that date, notice will go out regarding the resumption of these classes.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of Our Lord

The pastor or another priest should celebrate Mass for the intentions of the people privately with other priests and those necessary for the celebration of the liturgy (e.g., deacon, lector, server, musician), not to exceed ten persons.

The first form of the entrance (Procession) will not be used. The second form (Solemn Entrance) will be used at the cathedral only.  The third form (Simple Entrance) will be used in parish churches.

Palms are not to be blessed at this time but to be kept, blessed, and distributed at an acceptable time in the future.

Holy Week

Chrism Mass

Archbishop-designate Hartmayer has asked that the Chrism Mass be postponed this year until after his installation, allowing him to celebrate the Mass with the priests of the Archdiocese.  When a date is selected, you will be notified right away.  In the meantime, those needing consecrated oils from 2019 may obtain an additional supply from the Cathedral of Christ the King.

The Sacred Triduum

The bishops will celebrate the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum at the Cathedral of Christ the King, to be broadcast in live stream to all who would avail themselves remotely.  Some parishes will have the ability to do something similar.  The following are guidelines that are in keeping with the recent statement from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (“Decree in Time of COVID-19”):

The faithful should be informed of the times of the private celebration of these liturgies so that they can prayerfully unite themselves in their homes. The means of live televised or internet/live streamed broadcasts are recommended.

Separate provisions are being sent to monastic, religious, and consecrated communities within the Archdiocese.

Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper

The Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments has granted the exceptional faculty to each priest to celebrate Mass, without the people present, on this day in 2020. As above, the pastor or another priest should celebrate Mass privately with other priests and those necessary for the celebration of the liturgy (e.g., deacon, lector, server, musician), not to exceed ten persons.

The foot washing option is to be omitted.

At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is to be omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle.

Priests who are unable to celebrate Mass should instead pray Vespers/Evening Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours.

Good Friday, Passion of the Lord

As above, the pastor or another priest should conduct the liturgy with other priests and those necessary for the celebration of the liturgy (e.g., deacon, lector, server, musician), not to exceed ten persons.

In the Universal Prayer, a petition is to be added to the Solemn Intercessions referring to the current pandemic. The USCCB has provided the following for use, as an example:

1. For an end to the pandemic
   

Let us pray, dearly beloved, for a swift end to the Coronavirus pandemic that afflicts our world, that our God and Father will heal the sick, strengthen those who care for them, and help us all to persevere in faith.   

Prayer in silence. Then the Priest says:  

Almighty and merciful God, source of all life, health and healing, look with compassion on our world, brought low by disease; protect us in the midst of the grave challenges that assail us  and in your fatherly providence  grant recovery to the stricken, strength to those who care for them, and success to those working to eradicate this scourge. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

During the Adoration of the Holy Cross, the customary kissing or touching of the cross is to be omitted. A genuflection or profound bow would be an appropriate sign of reverence.

Easter Vigil

As above, the pastor or another priest should celebrate Mass for the intentions of the people privately with other priests and those necessary for the celebration of the liturgy (e.g., deacon, lector, server, musician), not to exceed ten persons.

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.

The Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) follows.

The Liturgy of the Word takes place according to the rubrics.

For the “Baptismal Liturgy,” the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” alone is necessary (cf. Missale Romanum, pg 371, n. 55).

The Liturgy of the Eucharist then follows.

All priests and religious who have no possibility of uniting themselves to the Paschal Vigil celebrated in a church should pray the Office of Readings for Easter Sunday in the Liturgy of the Hours. Others are likewise invited to pray the Office of Readings in union with Church universal.

Easter Sunday

As above, the priest may celebrate privately or have up to four additional asymptomatic adults assisting in the vital ministries.

USE OF CHURCH BELLS WITH PRIVATE MASSES

A suggestion has been made that it could be a welcome practice and act of unity during this time for churches to ring their bells to signal that even a private Mass is being offered.  For those within earshot, it can be a call to spiritual communion and contemplation of the Eucharistic mystery.

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All of this is truly more than enough. Thank you once more for your stewardship of our Church during this time of challenge and amplified opportunity for personal reflection and renewal. These weeks of confinement may prompt revival of devotions and practices little used or taught in recent times.  In whatever ways you are reaching your flock, I am grateful for your efforts at aiding their individual and communal prayer, as well as meeting other needs according to limited ability.

Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation