The Bishops of Malta and Gozo have issued Directives on religious celebrations taking place in the coming months.
This is in light of the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic, as advised previously [1].
They have said that there will be no manifestations for Our Lady of Sorrows, Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
First Holy Communion and Confirmation celebrations which are planned before the summer of this year, will be postponed to a later day when the situation improves.
The Bishops said that detailed directions will be sent to parish priests, priests and religious superiors, with respect to the celebrations in the church in relation to the Holy Week.
Provided the situation allows at that time, the pilgrimage of Our Lady of Sorrows can be made in September in connection with the Feast on the 15th of September.
The Bishops also said that all feasts that were due to take place in parishes and churches until the end of this year (2020) can only take place after the health authorities have given permission for public gatherings, and in any case, for this year 2020, they can only made in the following form:
On a Sunday (or day of public holiday) a pilgrimage of prayer and thanks with the statue venerated for that feast. Mass that day in the church to celebrate the feast. There will be no other internal or external celebrations.
More details are given as the situation develops, the Bishops said.
Photo by Alain Salvary