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February 9, 2022
Having passed the second anniversary of the onslaught of COVID-19, I look back with admiration and gratitude for all of you, our parish teams, our parish and diocesan support staff, and our many volunteers. You have worked tirelessly to provide the safest possible environments which have allowed us to celebrate our faith within the constraints of government regulations, health directives and advisories, and common sense. It has been a herculean task, but one, I believe, that has brought out the best in us as we worked together with selflessness and concern for our parishioners and especially for the most vulnerable among us.
You have demonstrated not only hard work, but creativity, ingenuity and pastoral sensitivity. Among you, I would like to recognize the members of the Episcopal Council (past and present) and members of our diocesan administration who have advised me on the applications of the various regulations, directives and advisories. Their willingness to meet virtually on a regular basis and on short notice has given birth to our various policies with consistency and practicality. These applications have not always been easy to implement, but the spirit of charity and steadfastness has seen us through the worst times of the pandemic.
As the season of Lent approaches, we still face the challenges of the pandemic and, as such, continue to seek ways that allow us to observe this holy season and the glorious Easter season to come. The Episcopal Council gathered last week on 2 February to look at the how our parishes may be operating during this time. Father Michael Béchard, Director of Liturgy for the Diocese, joined the meeting to offer his expertise.
We continue to see progress in the decreasing numbers of COVID cases in the province but are conscious that variants may arise at any time. We saw with the Delta variant a more severe strain of the virus, and with Omicron a more minor strain but one that was more transmissible. It is still in the realm of “the great unknown” when the pandemic will pass or if another variant will wreak havoc. While we expect the need to continue wearing masks in indoor settings, the government has indicated we might see some changes soon, such as an end to the need for physical distancing. The protocols are a “moving target”. In light of that, as we did last year, we are presenting two scenarios for the up-coming seasons of Lent and Easter. Some of the directives will be specified under two titles: “current restrictions” and “fewer restrictions”. The former presumes all restrictions are in place for capacity, distancing and the use of masks. The latter presumes that physical distancing is ended, but that other restrictions may still apply.
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Extension of the Dispensation from the Sunday Obligation
The dispensation from the Sunday obligation is hereby extended to the end of the Easter Season; that is, up to and including Pentecost Sunday.
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Singing in the Liturgy
With further openings by the government and lessening of restrictions, singing may be reintroduced at liturgies and devotions for all members of the congregation, effective immediately.
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Ash Wednesday
Masses may be celebrated in parish churches. So that as many parishioners as possible can attend in our churches, priests are encouraged to celebrate two Masses that day to meet the needs of the Families of Parishes. Ashes will not be taken to homes or schools.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a note on 12 January 2021 specifying how ashes may be distributed. This directive applies again in 2022:-
The Priest says the prayer for blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel”, or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”.
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The Priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. The Priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.
The sprinkling is of only those ashes that can be held in the pinch of thumb and index finger.
School Masses are not to be celebrated this day. Instead, it is recommended that schools provide their own liturgies of the word. Our Pastoral Services team has drawn up resources that may be used in the schools with an outline for a liturgy, scriptural readings and related activities. These resources will be circulated presently.-
Mass of Chrism
I will celebrate the Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral at 11:00 a.m. on Monday of Holy Week. The Mass will be livestreamed. Members of the faithful of the Cathedral parish and Religious, will be invited according to current protocols for Masses. Episcopal Vicars will be invited to concelebrate and to represent the priests of the Diocese. Oil will be blessed and consecrated as usual, with distribution to follow in the deaneries.
fewer restrictions:
I will celebrate the Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral at 7:00 p.m. on Monday of Holy Week. Members of the faithful from across the Diocese, including Religious, will be invited to participate. All priests in the Diocese will be invited to concelebrate, with Episcopal Vicars taking their usual places in the sanctuary. The Mass will be livestreamed. Oil will be blessed and consecrated as usual, with distribution to follow the Mass. As in the past, priests in the Diocese will gather in the afternoon with the bishops.-
Palm Sunday
current restrictions:
The Solemn Procession, as given in the Roman Missal, may take place only within the church proper, with incense and a Cross and with proper spacing. If the weather is favourable, and spacing is maintained, a procession may line up outdoors. Palm branches may be distributed.
fewer restrictions:
The Solemn Procession, as given in the Roman Missal, may take place either within the church proper or from an adjacent space (e.g., a parish hall), or from outdoors. Palm branches may be distributed.
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Holy Thursday
current restrictions:
Each priest may preside or concelebrate at only one celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Families of Parishes may offer Masses in different churches according to their number of priests and their determination of pastoral needs. The ritual of the washing of the feet does not take place. A simple procession, including servers with incense and Cross, and with proper spacing, may take place for the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament. There is to be no arrangement or accommodation for the faithful to remain in prayer.
fewer restrictions:
Each priest may preside or concelebrate at only one celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Families of Parishes may offer Masses in different churches according to their number of priests and their determination of pastoral needs. The ritual of the washing of the feet and the transfer of the Blessed Sacrament take place as outlined in the Roman Missal. Arrangements for the faithful to remain in prayer, up until midnight, may be made.-
Good Friday
current restrictions:
To maintain the liturgical integrity and continuity of the Sacred Triduum, only priests may preside at the afternoon Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. Two readers, properly spaced, may assist with the proclamation of the narrative of the Lord’s Passion. It should be noted, though, that it is just as appropriate to have one reader – a priest or deacon – who proclaims the word of God in an exemplary fashion, to do so. The veneration of the Cross must be done at one time for the entire congregation. All other norms, as found in the Roman Missal, are to be observed.
Other services may be offered in the morning of Good Friday to accommodate families with children or youth. These services would be a modified liturgy based on the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, and without Holy Communion. A deacon or lay person may preside at such a service. The Director of Liturgy will provide a format to be used for such an alternate service.
fewer restrictions:
To maintain the liturgical integrity and continuity of the Sacred Triduum, only priests may preside at the afternoon Celebration of the Passion of the Lord. Two readers may assist with the proclamation of the narrative of the Lord’s Passion as in the past. It should be noted, though, that it is just as appropriate to have one reader – a priest or deacon – who proclaims the word of God in an exemplary fashion, to do so. The veneration of the Cross is done with the usual procession as found in the Roman Missal with one exception. The Cross may be venerated by genuflection or a profound bow without touching the Cross. All other norms, as found in the Roman Missal, are to be observed.
Other services may be offered in the morning of Good Friday to accommodate families with children or youth. These services would be a modified liturgy based on the Celebration of the Passion of the Lord, and without Holy Communion. A deacon or lay person may preside at such a service. The Director of Liturgy will provide a format to be used for such an alternate service.-
The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday
current restrictions:
The Easter Vigil may be celebrated according to the norms as found in the Roman Missal with the following adaptations:-
There is to be a simple fire used at the entrance of the church for the opening of the Vigil, since gathering closely is prohibited.
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A minimum number of readings is to be chosen to limit the overall time of the celebration.
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Baptism and Confirmation, if celebrated at the Vigil, will be done according to directives already given; i.e., employing proper spacing, and using separate water for each person to be baptized and cotton balls for the imposition of the Sacred Chrism. It is recommended that water be blessed in suitable container and taken from there to be poured over the heads of the candidates as they lean over the baptismal font.
The sprinkling of the entire congregation is restored at the renewal of baptismal promises at the Vigil and the Masses of Easter day.
fewer restrictions:
The Easter Vigil may be celebrated according to the norms as found in the Roman Missal with the following adaptation: Baptism and Confirmation will be celebrated according to directives already given; i.e., using separate water for each person to be baptized and cotton balls for the imposition of the Sacred Chrism. It is recommended that water be blessed in suitable container and taken from there to be poured over the heads of the candidates as they lean over the baptismal font.
The sprinkling of the entire congregation is restored at the renewal of baptismal promises at the Vigil and the Masses of Easter day.
As we prepare to enter into these holy days of our liturgical year, Bishop Joseph and I assure you of our continuing prayers for you and for all the people in our Diocese. May the days of Lent and Easter bring us to a deeper awareness of our dignity as children of God and disciples of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit strengthen us and renew us in our efforts to be faithful to the mission of Jesus, to truly be disciples making disciples of Jesus.
Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, CSB
Bishop of London
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