A growing number of Catholics worldwide are beginning to regret complaining about those early-morning Masses—and about the broken church heating, the music choices, the length of the homilies. Many of us, now, would wake up at any hour to attend the most uncomfortable Mass with the strangest hymns and the driest preaching, as long as it meant one thing: we would be there in person to receive the Eucharist.
As the new coronavirus makes its rounds across the globe, a growing number of churches have closed their doors to the public. Though some remain open for Adoration, Confession, and prayer, Mass has become a painful scarcity for most laypeople. To help ease this crisis, countless parishes have begun live-streaming their parish activities, especially Mass—and so, this month’s edition of Pilgrim’s Progress takes you on a visit to, well, your laptop.
Choosing Your Destination
First things first: you have to decide where you’re going to Mass. If your home parish participates in streaming, you might watch their liturgy to maintain a sense of normalcy amidst these changing times. But if Fr. So-and-So’s homilies weren’t your taste anyway, this is a convenient time to switch things up!
You have the rare chance to travel the world free of charge by streaming Masses from other countries. For example, have you ever wanted to go to the Vatican? Ireland? The United Arab Emirates? Masses are available from all of those places and more—and you won’t spend a cent on airfare. Viewing a Mass from another country is a wonderful way to remember that the Church is united both in its struggles and in its joyful anticipation of Masses to come. The longing for God pervades the world more deeply than any illness can.
Think of a church you’ve always wanted to visit but have never been able to, and then try your luck with a Google search. You might get to make a pilgrimage sooner than you thought. (For example, pay an early-morning visit to St. Anthony at his basilica in Padua, Italy.)
Before this chaos, did we realize often enough that Christ is in these countless places? Did we notice how His presence strings us all together? The unfolding map of Masses streamed around the world reveals a faith that is determined to thrive—a faith that invites your participation.
Setting Up for Mass
So you’ve chosen your Mass, and now it’s time to set up—a job that used to be for parish councils and altar boys, but that now falls to you. A good general rule is to make whatever preparations put you in a solemn mindset. You can light candles, dress up, hire an organist, replace your windows with stained glass, etc. (See “Tips and Tricks for Your ‘Home Parish’” below for some unserious suggestions.)
But there’s no need to go over-the-top. Virtual Mass can look as simple as moving to a quieter room, closing the door, and taking a few minutes to pray before the liturgy.
Though Mass in your living room or kitchen might seem bizarre, isn’t it an honor that Christ comes to us—in some form—wherever we may be? That no circumstance can create absolute distance from us and God? That we can make a spiritual act of Communion with Him in the same places where we live our daily life? We have a humble God. He’s not afraid of the kitchen.
As for praying with the Mass itself, take time to look over the readings beforehand to be especially reflective during the Liturgy of the Word. Also, don’t forget to make an Act of Spiritual Communion during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. You may not be able to receive sacramentally, but Jesus is still spiritually present when you have an ardent desire for the Eucharist in times like these.
After the Mass
Now you’ve made your pilgrimage, and you haven’t budged an inch. You get up from your couch and begin, somewhat awkwardly, to go about your daily life again. We recommend taking a few moments after the Mass for some silent prayer—or you can play a hymn online, or say a Rosary. Do whatever might drive home for you the lasting grace of the Mass, which carries over into the rest of our day.
Maybe these are the times we start to appreciate how closely the ordinary and the extraordinary are intermixed in our lives. If we incorporate the liturgy into every single day of our quarantine, we’ll develop a deeper sense of how the other 23-and-a-half hours of our day hunger for what we receive in that one half-hour. So when the doors of the churches open again, maybe our sense of what matters will be just a little more accurate than it was before.
And if you still feel strange, you can always host a one-person coffee and donuts fellowship. Make sure to FaceTime all the members of your local Knights of Columbus!
Bonus Feature: Tips and Tricks for Your “Home Parish”
If you have the space and time, you can build yourself a makeshift chapel out of materials
around your house. All you need is a small table, the lacy tablecloth that’s been in the closet since the 1990s, and full access to that cabinet with the half-used candles. Make sure your laptop will fit in the space. You can add a couple of holy cards, a small crucifix, a few flowers…whatever will make you feel less at home and more at church!
If you miss the smell of incense, a scented candle or spray of perfume makes a decent substitute. Alternatively, this thurible sells for less than $30 on Amazon, and you now have plenty of time to learn how to use it. As a reminder, the fire department can be reached by dialing 9-1-1.
YouTube videos of crying babies can help you replicate the sound of the big Catholic families at your parish.
For those who prefer an ad orientem Mass, simply turn your laptop in the other direction. All Masses are now modifiable. Tithing stops for no virus, and now you don’t have to rush to get out your money when the basket is being passed. On a serious note, there are many people in need of assistance these days, particularly vulnerable populations like the homeless—if you’re one of our Boston readers, we recommend supporting St. Francis House as they face higher expenses in serving the poor.
Image courtesy of Rachel Neglia.
- Whatever You May Do - May 7, 2020
- Stashed Classics: The Scarlet and the Black - May 7, 2020
- Pilgrim’s Progress: Virtual Mass - April 1, 2020