Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 5) — The Catholic Church observed Palm Sunday this year while embracing technology amid the coronavirus crisis.
With the government order for everyone to stay at home in place, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines urged the public to follow the mass on radio, television, or online.
CBCP said in a circular that the faithful could hold their palm branches at home as the priest recites the prayer for blessing.
Father Aris Sison, parish priest of Saint John Paul II in Quezon City, admitted that celebrating mass in an empty church is a challenge, as he can’t interact with parishioners in real time.
“Mahirap mag-misa na ang kaharap mo cellphone and one sacristan,” Fr. Sison said.
[Translate: It’s difficult to lead a mass while facing a cellphone and one sacristan.]
However, what’s important is that he’s able to get God’s message across to parishioners through livestreamed masses, he said.
The priest added that he hopes the enhanced community quarantine will strengthen people’s faith in God, since they will have more time for prayer and reflection.
“We do have the time, the chance to be quiet, to open the Bible and to reflect on the Lord, on his passion and our relationship with Him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis also celebrated Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter’s Basilica without public participation.
The church is located in Italy, which has recorded the highest number of fatalities worldwide due to the viral disease. According to the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 global tracker, Italy’s death toll so far stands at over 15,000.
Globally, there are over 1,218,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of April 5. Of these, some 66,000 resulted in death, while a total of over 252,000 patients have recovered.
CNN Philippines’ Xianne Arcangel contributed to this report.
