Holy week opens with Palm Sunday, once again crossed by the pandemic:
To avoid the spread of coronavirus at a time when cases escalate, the faithful will celebrate at home and in accordance with the indications of the diocesan bishops for each stage. They will follow the rites on radio, television and social networks.
Virtual masses, rites limited to a few faithful and restrictions will once again characterize the Holy Week of Christians that begins with the mass on Palm Sunday, to prevent the spread of coronavirus at a time that cases are escalating and the effects of a crisis are feared. second wave.
By not being able to attend the temples, the faithful will celebrate Holy Week at home and in accordance with the instructions of the diocesan bishops for each stage, and will follow the rites on radio, television and social networks.
On Palm Sunday, bishops and priests will bless the bouquets. The National Liturgy Secretariat (Senali), of the Argentine Episcopal Conference (CEA), released some guidelines to celebrate it as a family, according to the AICA agency.
In addition to the celebration scheme, he suggested as an exterior sign to place a green branch on the door, window or balcony of the home to “indicate the beginning of this special week for Christians.
Easter week
The main celebrations are summarized in the Easter triduum, which includes the mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), the commemoration of the Passion (Good Friday) and the solemn Easter vigil (the Saturday of Glory).
On Holy Thursday the oils that will be used in the sacraments during the year are blessed and the priestly promises are renewed, and the rite of the washing of feet is also performed, in which some bishops repeat this helpful gesture in prisons, recovery homes of addicts, nursing homes, hospitals, just like Pope Francis does.
This time the washing of the feet will be omitted, the procession will not be done either and the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved in the tabernacle.
On Good Friday, the day dedicated to the passion and death of the Lord, the Stations of the Cross are celebrated, which will not be in the streets and, according to the indications of the Holy See “in universal prayer, the bishops will be in charge of preparing a special intention for those in danger, the sick, the deceased ”.
The adoration of the Cross with the kiss will only be performed by the celebrant.
On Holy Saturday, around midnight, the solemn Easter vigil begins, an opportunity in which the new fire and the Easter candle are blessed, the Easter announcement and the biblical readings are made, the Gloria is sung and the baptismal promises are renewed.
This year it will be held only in cathedrals and parishes, without the faithful, but it will be allowed to use the paschal candle that everyone has at their disposal, even the one from last year, if possible recycled.
On Easter Sunday the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord is celebrated in which it is recommended, as in all Masses, to maintain social distance and the use of a mask.
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