Vatican issues decree for restricted Holy Week liturgies

Chrism Mass can be postponed but other Triduum Masses can’t

Published: April 3, 2020

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

CNS file / Junno Arocho Esteves

The Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is shown in a file photo.

CNS file / Junno Arocho Esteves

The Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican is shown in a file photo.

Pandemic alters Pope Francis' plan

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With public gatherings, including Masses, banned in Italy to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Vatican published an updated version of Pope Francis’ schedule for Holy Week and Easter.

In a March 27 statement, the Vatican said that all Holy Week celebrations will be celebrated at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica “without the participation of the people.”

The Vatican also said the release of the updated schedule takes into account the provisions made by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

This year will be the first time Pope Francis will celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the Vatican instead of at a prison, hospital or other institution. The Congregation for Divine Worship said that “the washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted” when there are no faithful present.

Here is the updated schedule of papal liturgical ceremonies for Holy Week and Easter:

• April 5, Palm Sunday, 11 a.m. (4 a.m. Central Time)

• April 9, Holy Thursday, Mass of the Lord’s Supper 6 p.m. (11 a.m. Central Time)

• April 10, Good Friday, 6 p.m. liturgy of the Lord’s passion. (11 a.m. Central Time)

• April 10, Way of the Cross, 9 p.m., in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. (2 p.m. Central Time)

• April 11, Easter vigil Mass, 9 p.m. (2 p.m. Central Time)

• April 12, Easter morning Mass, 11 a.m. followed by the pope’s blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world). (4 a.m. Central Time)

VATICAN CITY — While conferences and meetings can be postponed for months because of the coronavirus pandemic, the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter cannot, with the exception of the chrism Mass, said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

“By the mandate of the supreme pontiff for the year 2020 only,” the congregation issued guidelines March 20 for celebrating the Triduum and Easter liturgies without the presence of the faithful.

“Easter is at the heart of the entire liturgical year and is not simply one feast among others. The Easter triduum is celebrated over the arc of three days, which is preceded by Lent and crowned by Pentecost and, therefore, cannot be transferred to another time,” said the “Decree in the Time of COVID-19.”

The decree was signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the congregation, and by Archbishop Arthur Roche, secretary.

Because the chrism Mass is not formally part of the Triduum, they said, a bishop can decide to postpone its celebration. Where public Masses have been canceled, the decree said, the bishops, in agreement with their bishops’ conference, should ensure that the Holy Week liturgies are celebrated in the cathedral and in parish churches. The faithful should be advised of the times for the celebrations, so that they can pray at home at the same time.

On Holy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper should be celebrated in the cathedral and in parish churches even without the faithful present, it said.

“The washing of feet, which is already optional, is to be omitted” when there are no faithful present, it said. The traditional procession with the Blessed Sacrament at the end of the Mass also is omitted, and the Eucharist is placed directly in the tabernacle.

The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion should be celebrated and, among the formal prayers of petition, there should be “a special intention for the sick, the dead, for those who feel lost or dismayed.”

For the celebration of the Easter Vigil without the faithful present, it said, the preparation and lighting of the fire is omitted, but the Easter candle is still lit and the “Exsultet” Easter proclamation is sung or recited.

Processions and other expressions of popular piety that are traditional around the world during Holy Week may be transferred to another date, the decree said.