Poland’s bishops have called for more Masses as a response to the coronavirus epidemic.
Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, writing as the leader of the Polish bishops’ conference, has released a statement asking that the extra Masses be made available so that the congregations will be smaller.
“Acknowledging the recommendation of the Chief Sanitary Inspector that there not be large gatherings of people, I’m asking for the increase – insofar as this is possible – in the number of Sunday Masses in the churches, so that at any one time the number of faithful participating in the liturgies are according to the sanitary regulation,”Gądecki wrote.
The Polish archbishop of Poznań declared that it was “unimaginable” for Polish Catholics not to pray in their churches.
“In the current situation, I wish to remind you that just as hospitals treat diseases of the body, so the Church serves to, among other things, treat illness of the soul; that is why it is unimaginable that we not pray in our churches,” he wrote.
“I remind you that, in the current situation, old people and the sick can stay at home and from there watch broadcasts of Holy Mass,” he continued, offering a list of Masses broadcast on various Polish television stations.
“I remind you that there is no rule that during Mass you have to give the sign of peace by shaking hands,” Gądecki added.
“Let us commend to God those who have died because of coronavirus. Let us pray for health for the sick as well as for doctors, medical personnel and all the services who are working to stop the spread of this virus,” he continued.
“We pray for the end of the epidemic. In accordance with the Tradition of the Church, I encourage you especially to pray the [Trisagion] prayer of supplication ‘Holy God, Holy Mighty…’.”
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Do they have enough priests who are not infected with the virus?
My parish has concelled everything scheduled except liturgies and will be withholding the cup. Some diocese have cancelled mass altogether. I do like this idea of having many more masses so that they can space people out by pews. Reminds me of our grade school masses where they spaced the kids out by 4 feet so we wouldnt misbehave, but this is a new form. We’ve got to be both creative and merciful, as God himself is creator and the author of all mercy.
Please take care of yourselves!
I hope they empty and cover all holy water fonts across the nation.the lefty church loved to do this for Lent,perversely, in it’s heyday, even going so far as filling fonts with sand and telling parishioners that they had ‘entered the desert ‘for Lent.
This is a very smart strategy to a difficult situation. Good thinking Poles!
Anyone who doesn’t stay home is dumb.
Every time we get mail in our mailbox, get a package from Amazon or go to the grocery store we are exposed to viruses. We need to built up our immune systems by living right, getting enough sleep and eating fresh fruit, vegetables and legumes, maybe a little lean meat and fish and less or no processed, canned and “low fat” food that is loaded with salt and causes high blood pressure. Lots of water, a little tea (especially green), some milk or almond milk and moderate alcohol use are options. I get on the Children of God website to see which shots do not contain aborted fetal material and are safe, take necessary shots one at a time and use some zinc and vitamins.
And get some exercise whether indoor or out. Sunlight helps keep away depression.