The Archdiocese of Malta is publishing new directives for the days before and during Friday Holy of this year.

These measures, which are to help curb the spread of Covid-19 are published after the Church announced this month that in Malta and Gozo there will be no organised Lent pilgrimages and processions.

The new measures published today stipulate that the only statues can be mounted in churches are Christ the Redeemer, the statute representing the Cross or Crucifix)and of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The Resurrection can be set up for Easter Sunday where it is customary to do so. The statues should be taken out and returned to the niche privately, no processions should take place with them both outside or inside the church. Exhibitions organised by the Church or its groups are also prohibited.

On Thursday evening Mass, in the Solemn Remembrance of the Lord’s Supper, the rite of washing of the feet will not take place. It is only with the permission of the Archbishop that another Mass can be held in the evening if the pastoral needs of the community require this.

The directives also address the `Seven Visits’ that take place on Maundy Thursday night.

This year, those participating will be able to do so without entering and exiting the church in between reflections and by staying in one place, and by following all the measures that have been implemented in churches in Malta and Gozo since last June.

These include temperature taking, use of the sanitiser, and pre-assigned places to protect social distance. Apart from this visits requiring Christians to visit more than one church should not be organised, the Archdiocese said.

On Good Friday, the solemn commemoration of the Lord’s Passion in the afternoon, will take place with the exception of the kissing of the Cross. A short moment of Adoration of the Cross should be held instead.

In the Easter Vigils, the celebration takes place as usual with the difference that the people can not gather near the outer door for the Blessing of the Fire, but instead follow from their seats.

With the aim of enabling the sick and vulnerable to take part in in these important celebrations for the Christian faith, the Archdiocese of Malta and Public Broadcasting Services will broadcast from St. John’s Co-Cathedral on TVM2, and online on Knisja.mt and Newsbook.com.mt.

Photo by Alain Salvary

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