JERUSALEM, Thursday, April 9, 2020 (WAFA) – Catholic Christian clerics today observed Holy Thursday behind closed doors without the congregation in Jerusalem following the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop Boulos Marcuzzo, Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jerusalem and Palestine, presided over the Holy Thursday evening celebration at the Co-Cathedral of the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem’s Old City, ushering in the Paschal Triduum, the period of three days during which Catholic Christians recall the passion, crucifixion, death, burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when mass gatherings are prohibited and social distancing is the norm, the liturgy was broadcasted live via Palestine TV as the church asked the congregation to participate online or by watching TV.
Also in keeping with the guidelines for the celebration of the Holy Week following restrictions due to COVID-19, the washing of the feet in the liturgy of Holy Thursday, known as Mandatum, was omitted.
In the early morning hours today, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa presided over the Pontifical Mass behind closed doors at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
In his homily for Holy Thursday, Pizzaballa said: “We gather here at the beginning of this unusual Paschal Triduum, to celebrate, in the holiest Place, the events of our salvation. The circumstances are difficult. Externally, there is nothing festive today. We have already told each other several times in these days that it is strange to celebrate in this manner.”
“But perhaps, in these semi-clandestine celebrations of these days, precisely because without triumphal entrances and solemn and crowded ceremonies, there is something that we can learn anew. Departing from the usual traditions, we could perhaps more easily grasp a word, a reflection, a teaching to which in normal moments we would probably not have paid attention,” he added.
The Holy Thursday was also celebrated by the Catholics in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. However, Catholics in other districts, namely Ramallah, Jenin and Nablus, will mark the celebrations with the Orthodox Christians according to the Julian calendar.
In their Easter message, the patriarchs and heads of Jerusalem churches said: “The Feast of the Resurrection is a time of renewal of hope, restoration and victory over all forms of death and destruction. The whole world at this time lives in a state of fear, anxiety, and ambiguity as it faces the COVID-19 pandemic. Many countries are facing so much loss and grief, and infected cases are on the rise.”
“The observance of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter this year is surrounded by so many questions, complexities, and uncertainties, especially in light of the suffering, illness, and death of so many people around the globe, resulting in the current lockdown,” they added.
“Our mission as Christians and as human beings is to support each other and to continue to pray for all people during this pandemic,” they concluded.
K.F.
