Celebrating Mass safely — but pastorally — during a pandemic

American Catholic bishops have received two sets of recommendations on how to proceed once churches begin to meet again. Either way, they should go slow.

Pope Francis, small figure in all white at center left, delivers his blessing during Easter Sunday Mass inside an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, on April 12, 2020. Pope Francis and Christians around the world marked a solitary Easter Sunday, forced to celebrate the most joyful day in the liturgical calendar amid the sorrowful reminders of the devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. (Andreas Solaro/Pool Photo via AP)

(RNS) — How to celebrate the Eucharist while protecting public health is an issue confronting the U.S. Catholic bishops as the country gradually relaxes stay-at-home restrictions. I discussed the challenges involved in an earlier column, and since then, liturgists and medical experts have made their recommendations.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is recommending that diocesan bishops consider the guidelines prepared by the Thomistic Institute at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. Another set of recommendations has come from the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, an organization that pools the expertise of diocesan liturgical offices across the country. Ultimately, it is up to each bishop to determine what to do in his diocese. 

While both organizations have useful recommendations, the federation’s guidelines have a more pastoral tone, while the institute’s read like an academic exercise. Pastors will find the federation’s recommendations more helpful. That the bishops conference favored the institute’s recommendations rather than those of their own diocesan experts is surprising and regrettable.


Both sets of recommendations were drawn up by liturgical experts in consultation with medical experts. Both attempt to protect public health while still allowing for Eucharistic celebrations in Catholic parishes. Both recommend extending the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays, especially for older people and those with preexisting conditions.

Both propose eliminating the greeting of peace and the Communion cup.

Both call for sanitizing high-use surfaces in the church before and after each service — pews, chairs, ambos, handrails, door handles, push plates, knobs and restrooms. Such cleaning may add to the time necessary between Masses.

Both guidelines say members of the congregation should wear masks and maintain social distance (6 feet) before, during and after church, which will mean smaller congregations. However, the federation asks, “Can Masses be live streamed into a secondary space, e.g. the school gym?” Communion could then be brought from the church to the secondary space.

The most notable difference between the two sets of guidelines is that the federation recommends that Communion on the tongue be discontinued, while the institute would still allow it in restricted circumstances.

A priest offers Holy Communion. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

The institute acknowledges that some medical experts “believe Communion on the tongue involves an elevated and, in the light of all the circumstances, an unreasonable risk; others disagree.” It recommends that “If Communion on the tongue is provided, one could consider using hand sanitizer after each communicant who receives on the tongue.”

I believe that it is better to err on the side of safety and avoid Communion on the tongue. As the federation notes, “Medical personnel have emphasized that saliva is one of the worst fluids for transmission.”


In addition, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends soap and water rather than hand sanitizers, which should only be used when soap and water is not available.

Many people do not use hand sanitizers correctly.  

“Although alcohol-based hand sanitizers can inactivate many types of microbes very effectively when used correctly,” says the CDC, “people may not use a large enough volume of the sanitizers or may wipe it off before it has dried.”

The CDC recommends that “When using hand sanitizer, apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount) and rub the product all over the surfaces of your hands until your hands are dry.”

Following those instructions would require at least a minute between each Communion. Although theoretically possible, priests will inevitably rush the process if the Communion line is long.

Both the federation and the institute oppose using gloves while distributing Communion. As the federation notes, “gloves would have to be changed for each communicant.” On the other hand, in Italy the bishops have in negotiations with the government agreed to protocols requiring priests to wear gloves. 

The institute would also prohibit those receiving Communion from wearing gloves, which I think is unreasonable. In order to avoid a Communion minister touching a communicant’s hand, the federation recommends using larger hosts. 


The institute recommends distributing Communion after Mass, an option not recommended by the federation. The institute, which opposes having the priest wear a mask during Mass, would allow him to wear one when giving Communion after Mass.

The federation sees no problem with the priest wearing a mask during Mass and in fact urges it when the priest is giving Communion. In Italy, the bishops agreed with the government to have priests wear masks while distributing Communion. Meanwhile, in Germany, some churches are using Plexiglas barriers to separate the priest’s face and chest from the communicant while he gives Communion below the barrier.  

Having Communion after Mass, says the institute, would allow the priest to remove the chasuble (the outer garment), “given that it is difficult to launder if anyone should sneeze or cough on him.” If this is a concern, the simple solution would be to remove the chasuble before Communion or skip it altogether when saying Mass. Vestments are less important than the integrity of the Eucharist.

Robbiano Church parson, Don Giuseppe Corbari, poses in front of selfies he was sent by parishioners as Masses for the faithful have been suspended following Italy’s coronavirus emergency, in Giussano, northern Italy, Sunday, March 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

The federation and the institute have slightly different recommendations about singing. Both agree that all hymnals and missalettes should be removed and stored until the pandemic is over.

The institute notes that “Vigorous singing, especially in close proximity to others, may increase the risk of viral spread.” As a result, it discourages choirs. The federation agrees that large choirs should be discontinued, but believes singing is possible as long as everyone wears a mask.


One of the most controversial recommendations from the federation is that “cry rooms” for parents and babies should be closed and locked. Good luck on that one.

The federation shows its pastoral sensitivity by insisting that the clergy “communicate ahead of time with the entire parish. Give the people a preview of what social distancing or other precautions will be in place.”

It acknowledges the need for trained ushers who “should anticipate the need to gently deal with some chaos and fear for the first few weeks.” However, they “are not there to ‘police’ but some rules might put the people at ease.” Here the federation is more optimistic than I am about dealing with chaos.

The federation is especially good at emphasizing the need to set a good tone during this transition period with some specific recommendations: 

  • Give thanks to almighty God for what he has done for us!
  • Do not simply begin with “Our Opening Hymn is … ” Acknowledge what they are feeling. Prepare a written, heartfelt “welcome back” and express why it is so good for all of us to gather once again around the Lord’s Table.
  • Acknowledge the fact that we are all still very cautious and it will take time to get back to the ways we once did things.
  • Your assemblies have been watching Mass on television and will need encouragement to fully participate again (even through masks).
  • Mention any restrictions, such as, no handshake at the Sign of Peace or any changes to the distribution of Holy Communion.
  • Use music that makes the assembly feel “at home.” Hymns should relate to the readings, but consider using familiar melodies and texts. Use familiar Mass settings.
  • Do not fail to mention those in the parish who may have died since we last gathered together, particularly those who have died from the virus.
  • Do not fail to mention that we remain thankful for healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers.
  • Do not fail to thank all those in the parish who have been so generous in responding to the needs of the poor, the hungry, and the unemployed.

These guidelines are simply recommendations to the bishops, who are responsible for deciding how the parishes in their dioceses will celebrate Mass during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as they discern what to do, I would urge them to pay more attention to what public health experts say than what politicians say, especially as it concerns the possibility of a second wave of infections. In addition, they need to consult widely among their priests and people.

The church has a history of going slow. Today, going slow makes good sense.

Donate to Support Independent Journalism!

Donate Now!