Dear Father,
In this time of tribulation, we as priests of Jesus Christ, are all the more called to deepen our exercise of this sacred ministry to the glory of God and the service of His people. Each day we do this through the celebration of the Eucharist even when it is not possible for the people to be present. We also do this through the celebration of the Liturgy of Hours in which we pray for God’s people as their priests, and I strongly encourage every priest to spend at least an hour before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer for the people.
We are approaching the most sacred time of the year. It is essential that, in every parish in the diocese, the ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter proceed even though adapted to the restrictions required at this time.
Due to the current pandemic, the liturgical celebration of the paschal mysteries of Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter will be celebrated without the physical participation of the faithful. The following instruction outlines how these liturgies are to be celebrated in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael, and in all parish churches throughout the Archdiocese of Toronto. Religious communities are to determine for themselves the most appropriate ways to proceed, but are to model their liturgies on what is set here for parishes:
Palm Sunday - Sunday, April 5, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
At parish churches:
The Mass of Chrism - Tuesday, April 7, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
The Mass of the Lord’s Supper - Thursday, April 9, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
At parish churches:
Good Friday - April 10, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
At parish churches:
The Easter Vigil - Saturday, April 11, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
At parish churches:
Easter Sunday - April 12, 2020:
At the Cathedral Basilica of St. Michael:
At parish churches:
Preparation for the sacred time of Holy Week, the Triduum and Easter
Sacrament of Reconciliation: The only ordinary way of attaining forgiveness for sins is participating in individual and integral confession and absolution. Nevertheless, if a person is unable to make an appointment with a priest for the Sacrament during the current pandemic, it will suffice for the moment to pray the Act of Contrition as best as one can intending it truthfully, and to commit to participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation as soon as possible when conditions allow. There will be no permission granted for General Absolution.
Resources - Devotions and scripture readings – to assist the faithful during these sacred days, we will make available, a variety of resources at: www.archtoronto.org/covid19 - these will include the following:
May God bless you always and sustain you in your sacred ministry of serving God’s people.
In Christ,
Thomas Cardinal Collins
Archbishop of Toronto