By Jesus | 08:35 PM April 12, 2020
JOINT PASTORAL LETTER OF THE MOST REVERENDS MSGR. ALBERTO UY AND MSGR. DANIEL PARCON, BISHOPS OF THE DIOCESES TAGBILARAN AND TALIBON, RESPECTIVELY, ON CELEBRATING FIESTAS
April 12, 2020
Our beloved Priests, Religious, Government Leaders, People of God in this Province of Bohol:
May the Peace of the Risen Lord reign in your hearts!
The Gospel reading according to St. Mark narrates that early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and her companions went to the tomb of Jesus…and while they were walking, they were worried as to who was going to roll the stone back from the entrance of the tomb (Mark 16:2-3).
Amidst the darkness of the events that we are now experiencing due to Covid-19, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ announces a loud message for all peoples of the whole world to hear, especially for us who are members of His Body that is the Church. And the message is this: that the extreme coldness and darkness inside the tomb has no power to conquer the light of life and the warmth of the love of the Risen Lord! This was proven by his appearance to his disciples, and by the tomb that was already open and empty.
In a short while, we Boholanos will be celebrating once again our fiestas in our respective parishes, chapels or BEC clusters. There are people who ask: “Shall we continue celebrating our fiestas in these trying times?”
After having done inquiries and with much discernment, we, the two bishops of Bohol, together with the Governor of the Province of Bohol, the Honorable Arthur C. Yap, have decided to continue celebrating the fiestas in these times even amidst the crisis brought about by Covid-19, but in a different and simple way. This said decision is based on the truth that our celebration of the fiestas is our way of thanking the Most Almighty God, with the intercession of our patron saints, for the graces that we have received, especially for keeping the whole Province and the people in it from Covid-19.
Due to our present difficult situation, the following shall be our way of celebrating our patronal feasts in our parishes:
1.Novena and Fiesta Masses shall still be celebrated inside the church of the parish that celebrates the fiesta. HOWEVER, IT MUST BE CLEAR THAT THESE ARE “PRIVATE MASSES”, AND PARISHIONERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND. The rule must strictly be observed that only the Parish Priest (together with his parochial vicar/s, if any) and a few servers shall be in attendance.
The Parish Priest is still encouraged to search for ways to broadcast the said celebration of the Masses, starting from the novena up to the Fiesta proper. The use of the exterior speakers of the churches is encouraged during the said Masses (in fact, during all parish Masses).
2.It is good that a street procession of the image of the patron saints be held, however, with the use of a pick-up truck, or a similar kind of transportation. If possible, the image of the patron saint must be brought around, along many streets of the parish, aside from the usual route of the procession. The faithful and homes included in the procession route are encouraged to light candles in their frontages, while maintaining silence and praying as the image of the patron passes by.
3.Parishioners are encouraged to participate in the fiesta celebration, especially the Masses, by using the radio, television, or online broadcasts such as Facebook, and others.
4.It is allowed to prepare food during the fiesta. However, in this difficult time, it is inappropriate that we spend profusely, considering that many of our fellowmen these days do not have anything to eat in their homes. It is also unfit that we invite guests in order to comply with the directive regarding “social distancing.”
5.However, we are encouraging those households, that are willing and are able, to share their food to their poor neighbors and hungry brethren. In this time of great crisis, let us be inspired by the words of Jesus, “When you hold a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors…. Rather, invite the poor, the cripple, the lame, the blind…blessed indeed will you be….You will be repaid by God” (Luke 14:12-13).
In the gospel, Mary and her companions were asking, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3-4). The “stone” is the symbol of anything that blocks our being united with God, such as avarice, greed, and indifference to our fellowmen. At this time, each one of us must act in order to roll back the stone, so that our Lord shall truly be risen in each of our hearts.
We are hopeful that with the mutual assistance of the Church and the Government, as well as the generosity of the rich to share their food to the least and the needy, our celebration of our fiestas, amid the tragedy caused by Covid-19, shall turn out to be most meaningful for all; and the people, together with the Church, shall always announce to the whole world, “The Lord is alive, and we have seen him!” (Cf. John 20:18).
With prayers of Holy Mary and St. Joseph,
+ ALBERTO S. UY, D.D.
Bishop of Tagbilaran
+PATRICK DANIEL Y. PARCON, D.D.
Bishop of Talibon
