Manila Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula strongly encouraged the faithful “to return to the Sunday Eucharist with renewed amazement and devotion” as a response to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)’s circular October last year.
In a circular addressed to all parish priests, team ministry moderators and members, rectors and chaplains of the Archdiocese of Manila on March 16, Cardinal Advincula said that the resumption of Filipino Catholic’s obligation and participation in Sunday Masses is now in effect, considering the decline of COVID-19 cases and imposition of a more relaxed safety protocols by health experts.
He reiterated the recommendations stated in the CBCP circular such as evaluation on the frequency of livestreaming Sunday Masses, continuous implementation of health protocols and replenishing holy water in all fonts after Easter Vigil.
The Archbishop also asked the clergy to explain the “necessity of our faithful to return to our churches for the Sunday Eucharist” in all homilies and in catechesis and clarifysome instructions during communion.
“The “Act of Spiritual Communion” should not be prayed aloud when communion is distributed to the faithful participating in our celebrations. The “Act of Spiritual Communion,” which is a devotional prayer, is intended for those who are following the celebration online. The prayer can be projected on the screen for those following the Mass online,” the circular stated.
“The communion ministers will now say “The Body of Christ” to each communicant. The ministers are encouraged to continue wearing their face masks, especially when distributing communion,” it added.
CBCP president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David released a circular on October 14, 2022 recommending the faithful’s return to all local ordinaries as the coronavirus pandemic weakened which prompted more people live again in normalcy. (Lem Leal Santiago/RCAM-AOC | Photo File by RCAM-AOC)
