Wherever two or more people gather, some sharing of germs is inevitable. When Catholics gather in Jesus’ name to celebrate the Eucharist, we should focus on sharing our gratitude, our faith and our belief in Christ among us and do our best to limit the spread of germs. Along with the Holy Father, the Diocese of Grand Rapids sympathizes with and holds in prayer all who have been impacted by illness. Parishes and parishioners should follow normal cold/flu prevention guidelines to keep the celebration of Mass as safe and healthy as possible.
During cold and flu season, each of us has the responsibility of taking precautions to prevent the spread of illnesses by:
- Wearing a mask to limit the spread of germs
- Washing your hands frequently and for the appropriate length of time using soap and water, or hand-sanitizing products if soap and water are not available.
- Covering your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
- Avoiding touching your face with unwashed hands
- If you are sick, or experiencing flu-like symptoms, please stay home. Your Sunday obligation is waived in this circumstance. Please join us in spirit by watching the 10 a.m. televised Mass from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew.
- Click here for additional health habits for preventing the flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Here are some general practices to keep in mind when it comes to the flu and Mass.
Should I come to Mass?
The obligation to attend Mass on Sunday and other holy days of obligation is the ordinary expectation for Roman Catholics (Canon 1247). However, extraordinary circumstances such as sickness or severe weather excuse the faithful from this obligation. If you suspect you have the flu or are suffering from a serious cold, please stay at home and do not risk spreading infection to others.
Holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer
Well-intentioned folks introduced this custom into parishes in the 1980s. Although holding hands is a beautiful expression of people united in prayer, the gesture is not envisioned in any Church documents governing liturgy. Thus, no one is required to hold hands. It is very fitting to pray the “Our Father” with your hands placed together in prayer.
The sign of peace
Please don’t be offended if someone chooses not to shake hands with you during the sign of peace. An appropriate gesture for those who are concerned about spreading illness might be to strive for eye contact rather than physical contact. You could clasp your hands together and bow gently to those around you, and with a smile say “Peace be with you,” or “Peace of Christ.”
Receiving Holy Communion
Roman Catholics believe that both the body and the blood of Christ are contained in the Holy Eucharist under the form of the consecrated host. But the Church encourages reception of the chalice at Mass as a fuller expression of the Last Supper and Christ’s precious blood poured out for us in sacrifice. If you are feeling sick, please receive Holy Communion in the hand, rather than on the tongue, and refrain from receiving Communion from the chalice. It is not appropriate to dip your host into the chalice, as this is irreverent and can contaminate the chalice.
Pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems
If you’ve been told by your physician/medical advisor that you are particularly susceptible to infection or to complications due to flu in particular, please refrain from practices that might make you sick, including shaking hands, receiving Holy Communion on the tongue, drinking the Precious Blood from the chalice, etc.
Guidelines en Español
From the USCCB:
Resource: Diocese of Grand Rapids, Office for Worship
