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Considerations and Instructions for Upcoming Liturgical CelebrationsArchdiocese of IndianapolisJanuary 14, 2021As we approach the Season of Lent, the archdiocesan Office of Worship has received some questions about precautions that may be taken for some upcoming liturgical celebrations. With Archbishop Thompson’s approval, we offer you the following guidance and instructions:Blessing of Throats (Wednesday, February 3, 2021)If you are considering offering the Blessing of Throats this year, there is an option for a simple offering of the blessing that may be preferred during this time of precautions. As is indicated in the Ordo (and in the Book of Blessings, 1628):“In memory of St. Blaise, the blessing of throats may be given today by a priest, deacon, or lay person who follows the rites and the prayers designated for a lay person. [The formula is also in the Ordo. Remember, a lay person does not offer the Sign of the Cross when praying the prayer.] During Mass, the blessing follows the homily and the general intercessions or for pastoral reasons, the prayer of blessing may take the place of the final blessing at Mass…If, for pastoral reasons, each individual cannot be blessed in the usual manner, a priest or deacon may give the blessing to all by extending his hands, without crossed candles, over the people while saying the prayer of blessing.” (Emphasis is mine.)The current circumstances would certainly be considered a sufficient pastoral reason to avoid administration of the blessing to individuals in the usual manner, should there be any concern of danger due to the ongoing pandemic.If the blessing of throats is offered to people on individual basis and with crossed candles, the ministers are to wear a face mask while offering the blessing and should use hand sanitizer before and after using the crossed candles. All social distancing protocols must be maintained (example – maintaining six feet between persons as they approach).Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 17, 2021)The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued a “Note on Ash Wednesday,” with instructions regarding the Distribution of Ashes this year:Prot. N. 17/21NOTE ON ASH WEDNESDAYDistribution of Ashes in Time of PandemicThe 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”.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.From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 12 January 2021.Robert Card. SarahPrefect+Arthur RocheArchbishop SecretarySome other reminders and information:Ashes may be distributed during Mass or outside of Mass. For celebrations outside of Mass, see rubrics at the end of “Ash Wednesday” in the Roman Missal; or Book of Blessings, Chapter 52: Order for the Blessing and Distribution of Ashes Timing/Number of Masses.There is no anticipatory Mass or “vigil” of Ash Wednesday on Tuesday evening (February 16).The priest may be assisted by deacons or lay ministers in the distribution of ashes. The blessing of the ashes, however, is reserved to the priest or deacon.The sprinkling of ashes on the head recalls the biblical method of putting on sackcloth and ashes as a sign of penance. The Roman Missal only says that the minister “places ashes” (imponit cineres) and does not specify how.Since the sprinkling of ashes may be something new for your parishioners, below is a brief explanation of this custom that could be used in a bulletin, worship aid, introductory remarks, etc., if the faithful were to have questions on this practice:Sprinkling ashes on the top of the head recalls the biblical practice of putting on “sackcloth and ashes” as an act of penance. For example, we read in the Book of Nehemiah: “On the twenty-fourth day of this month, the Israelites gathered together while fasting and wearing sackcloth, their heads covered with dust” (Neh 9:1). While the custom in the USA has been to mark the forehead with a cross, sprinkling the ashes on the head has been used for centuries and remains the custom in other parts of the world such as Spain and Italy. However the ashes are received, the interior repentance expressed by this exterior act is at the heart of the action.Lenten Penance ServicesCommunal penance services (Chapter II of the Rite of Penance) are permitted.All would need to follow the same social distancing and sanitation expectations of Mass.There may be a need for ushers to help maintain social distancing and sanitizing during the liturgy. (Example – helping to queue those waiting for individual confession; sanitizing the reconciliation space (see below).For individual confession – guidelines remain the same. You may need to offer confessions in space outside of confessional where confidential conversation can still be held. If possible, use a screen to block the air flow between the priest and penitent. The penitent should always have the option of confessing their sins anonymously. There are other ways to accomplish this if a screen is not possible (i.e., penitent sits behind priest). Have someone available to sanitize the space for the penitent after each use or ask each penitent to sanitize it after they finish.Stations of the Cross/Lenten DevotionsAs with other services conducted in churches, as long as social distancing can be maintained and proper sanitizing procedures can be followed, there is no reason to not have communal celebrations of the Stations of the Cross or other Lenten devotions/prayers. Music and musicians for the Stations must follow the same guidelines as for Mass. It is recommended that there be one cantor and one accompanist. If ministers carrying a processional cross and candles are used to move from station to station, they must be able to maintain proper social distancing, both from the assembly and each other. Much like hymnals, booklets for the Stations/devotions should not be used. Participants could either be given booklets to keep and re-use, or disposable handouts may be used.Holy WeekYou will recall that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued two decrees last year (dated March 19 and March 25) that provided special guidance for the celebration of Holy Week during the pandemic. The instructions that were given were intended mostly to assist priests in circumstances in which the presence of a congregation would be impossible. Those provisions, however, were explicitly granted only for the year 2020. As Lent approaches, we will have to wait to see whether the Holy See will issue similar guidance this year, should the situation continue to warrant it. ................
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