The Archdiocese of Chicago Distributed the Following Guidelines and Policies to Clergy and Parish Staff

March 19, 2020

The Chrism Mass will NOT be celebrated publicly, nor will we hold our annual Day of Reflection. Cardinal Cupich and the auxiliary bishops will celebrate the Mass in Holy Name Cathedral, which will be livestreamed for the benefit of the faithful to view in their homes.

Holy oils will not be distributed until the current health crisis has abated.

Palm Sunday and Holy Week Liturgies will not be celebrated publicly in our parishes.

• There are NOT to be any public celebrations, even outside including live Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

• There are NOT to be any distribution of blessed palms; however, if a priest blesses palms privately, those palms may be reserved for distribution at a later date to be determined by the USCCB and/or Archdiocese of Chicago.

• Easter sacraments for RCIA candidates and catechumens are to be postponed – guidance will be provided later on when they might be celebrated after this crisis subsides.

• The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (without washing of the feet), the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion, and the Easter Vigil will be celebrated by Cardinal Cupich and the auxiliary bishops in Holy Name Cathedral without a congregation and will be livestreamed. If/when the Mass of the Lord’s Supper is celebrated privately in your parish, it is not to include the ritual of the washing of feet.

• There should be no Communion services currently nor during Holy Week until we are cleared to return for public liturgies.

• Please continue to follow the CDC guidelines by allowing no more than 10 people to gather together at one time inside or outside the church, practicing social distancing, and cleaning and disinfecting of churches after use.

As you saw, updated guidelines about funerals and wakes were distributed on Wednesday, March 18. Please adhere to these, as well as the ongoing suspension of ALL public liturgies, which includes all Masses AND Communion services.

Again, these guidelines and all current liturgical guidance, developed in line with that of the CDC and competent authorities can be found at https://www.archchicago.org/coronavirus. Please reference this page often to remain familiar with how best to serve the people of God during this pandemic.

On this Solemnity of St. Joseph, let us invoke his intercession for the virtue and guidance we all need to lead our parish families during this difficult time.

St. Joseph, Mirror of Patience and Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.

Peace,

Bishop Ron Hicks