One of the biggest changes for us as Catholics during this coronavirus outbreak has been the suspension of the public celebration of the Eucharist. Other sacraments have had limitations placed on their celebration as well. 

 

Still, the news is full of reports of the first instances of relaxations of restrictions and tentative re-openings in some states. Those reports remind us that, while we are unlikely to return to the way we were before the virus, nevertheless we are resilient and public life will at some point reopen.

 

In some states, there has also been a relaxation of the restrictions on large gatherings, including religious gatherings. Here in Illinois, the governor has released a five-stage plan to open businesses and bring back public gatherings without risking a new spike in illness. From analyzing this plan, our diocese is working to plan for the reopening of Mass now, in advance of the reality. What might we expect when that happens? Without knowing for sure, here are some speculations.

 

First, as will also likely be the case in other situations like restaurants or visits to the doctor, we should not expect that the return to Mass in church will be as it was before the virus hit. We are told, for example, that as is typical of a virus, there is likely to be a second wave of its outbreak in the coming months. That threatening cloud, and the possible return to restrictive measures and even closure can’t, it seems, be excluded from our future.

 

Additionally, until a vaccine is produced and available, other precautions that we have become familiar with, such as social distancing, are likely to continue at Mass just as they will in the grocery store. That means that we can expect the experience at Mass will require seating arrangements that keep non-family members separated by at least 6 feet. We may see that same distancing when entering and exiting the church, and even when we slowly work our way up to receive holy Communion.

 

To be able to practice social distancing, the number of people in the church and attending Mass may need to be counted and limited. It’s an open question how the equitable distribution of places at any given Mass on any given day might work. And because our parishes vary widely in their numbers, regional guidelines for opening may need to be considered.

 

There will likely be other efforts to limit the moments and opportunities for the spread of the virus. The collection may need to be taken up differently to limit contact with shared materials such as envelopes. Receiving the Precious Blood from the cup is likely to be eliminated for the time being. And the practice of physical contact at the Sign of Peace will also likely be curtailed.

 

These are only some of the ideas that have begun to circulate as possible means to keep us safe while allowing us to attend Mass personally. Whether they will all be implemented, and whether other practices will be identified and made use of, will only become clear over time.

 

But as we pray, consider and plan the steps toward reopening, we need to ask God for the grace to be humble, patient and open to the sacrifices each of us will be asked to make at this critical moment. In some ways, we all might find that our preferred means or time or place of Mass might be changed because of the coronavirus. Still, the worthy offering of the Mass, the True Presence of Christ and our own ability to worthily receive Jesus are great goods.

 

We need to be sure that the return of the public celebration of the Mass will not be a source of division for us. 

 

Instead, with prayer and good will we can make it an occasion of profound joy and unity that has not just survived, but by God’s grace has even benefitted from a deepening of our interior life by this fast from the Eucharist.