The importance of returning to public liturgy as coronavirus restrictions are lifted was emphasized in an August letter signed by Cardinal Robert Sarah and approved by Pope Francis on September 3rd. In a letter written to the Presidents of the Episcopal Conferences entitled “Let us return to the Eucharist with Joy,” Cardinal Sarah, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for Divine Worship, underscored the centrality of the Mass and Eucharist in Catholic life.
“As soon as circumstances permit… it is necessary and urgent to return to the normality of Christian life,” Cardinal Sarah writes. He quoted Sacrosanctum Concilium in saying “It has the church building as its home and the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, as ‘the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; and at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows’.”
The top Vatican liturgy official implored the Church to continue working with government personnel to protect the health of believers, but reiterated that “liturgical norms are not matters on which civil authorities can legislate, but only the competent ecclesiastical authorities.”
While Cardinal Sarah acknowledged the value of virtual Mass as “[performing] a valued service to the sick and those who are unable to go to church… at a time when there was no possibility of community celebrations,” he warned that it is no replacement for in-person liturgies.
“These transmissions… risk moving us away from a personal and intimate encounter with the incarnate God who gave himself to us not in a virtual way, but in a real way,” Cardinal Sarah stated. “The physical contact with the Lord is vital, indispensable, irreplaceable.”
Cardinal Sarah advises the bishops to refrain from the “sterilisation of gestures and rites” while still offering “due attention” to “hygiene and safety regulations.”
The letter appears to tacitly address the topic of reception of Holy Communion on the tongue, which is a right affirmed by universal liturgical law. Cardinal Sarah conveys that bishops are permitted to establish temporary measures that, in this instance, bar the faithful from receiving on the tongue in the interest of public health.
“In times of difficulty (e.g. wars, pandemics), Bishops and Episcopal Conferences can give provisional norms which must be obeyed. Obedience safeguards the treasure entrusted to the Church,” Cardinal Sarah penned. “These measures given by the Bishops and Episcopal Conferences expire when the situation returns to normal … A sure principle in order not to err is obedience. Obedience to the norms of the Church, obedience to the Bishops.”
The cardinal expressed his desire for clergy and laity to focus on “the human person as a whole” and entrust themselves to God’s mercy and our Blessed Mother.
“[The Church] bears witness to hope, invites us to trust in God, recalls that earthly existence is important, but much more important is eternal life: sharing the same life with God for eternity is our goal, our vocation,” Cardinal Sarah said. “This is the faith of the Church, witnessed over the centuries by hosts of martyrs and saints.”
In America, multiple dioceses have reinstated or are preparing to reinstate the Obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Bishop Donald DeGrood of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was the first to reinstate the Sunday Obligation, which he did on August 17. In his August 10 Pastoral Letter, he stated that the dispensation from the Obligation remains in place for those “who are at increased risk for severe illness and those who provide for their care.”
Archbishop Jerome Listecki likewise reinstated the Sunday Obligation for Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee effective September 14. Archbishop Listecki conveyed that being afraid of becoming infected is not a valid excuse to avoid in-person services and Catholics “who deliberately fail to attend Sunday Mass commit a grave sin.”
Jerry Topczewski, Archbishop Listecki’s chief of staff, reaffirmed that the elderly or those with comorbidities were not committing mortal sins by not coming to in-person Mass, but also stated that Archbishop Listecki “wants to instill the fact that as human beings, we’re created for worship.”
Featured image courtesy of Lawrence OP via Flickr
Max Montana is a senior studying philosophy and theology. When not writing for The Torch, he enjoys reading more about the Catholic faith and philosophy, serving the unborn and mothers in need, and hanging out with friends. Max is honored to hail from the state with many gators and the bishop of the moon: Florida.
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