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Two important liturgical announcements were in the news this week. The first was a joint announcement from the Bishops of Pennsylvania regarding the reinstatement of the obligation to attend Mass. The second was a statement from the Diocese of Pittsburgh regarding Pope Francis’ changes in the status of the Latin Mass. See the information which follows.
Pennsylvania Bishops reinstate the obligation to attend Mass:
Bishops across Pennsylvania are joining together to reinstate the obligation to attend Mass beginning in mid-August, with some notable exceptions. As public health restrictions from COVID-19 are lifted, the time has come to return to the pews and join in the Holy Eucharist as the Mass is intended. We look forward to assembling once again as one body of Christ here at
Holy Spirit Parish, and pray for good health and safety in the process.
Please see page 7 of the July 25th bulletin for the full press release from the Pennsylvania Bishops.
“We have all known and felt the impact of COVID-19 in so many ways as individuals and families, among friends and at work. It has been a time of hardship and struggle, of separation and isolation. It has also had an impact on our lives of faith. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, has been with us throughout this very difficult period and is most especially near to us when we encounter him in the Eucharist. The Eucharist offers us his healing and peace, his mercy and reconciliation. It is time for everyone to return to the Eucharist with renewed faith and joy.
As life returns to normalcy in so many ways, each Catholic Bishop in Pennsylvania will reinstate the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days beginning on Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Bishops had dispensed you from this obligation in March of 2020 as the developing coronavirus pandemic required people not to assemble in group settings. Now, with the impact of the pandemic considerably reduced, it is again possible for the faithful to assemble for the Eucharist and it is time for us to lift the dispensation from the obligation. “
Diocese of Pittsburgh position regarding new restrictions on Latin Mass:
Last week, Pope Francis re-imposed restrictions to limit the use of the Latin Mass. Under the Vatican’s new law, individual bishops are required to approve celebrations of the Latin Mass, among other key decisions. Bishop Zubick released a statement on behalf of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which is below and on the website at https://diopitt.org/news/statement-on-pope-francis-action-regarding-new-restrictions-on-the-celebration-of-latin-masses
“In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we have one parish dedicated to the celebration of the daily Latin Mass (Tridentine Mass). In July 2019, Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish (Pittsburgh) was established as a personal parish to support the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. Under the new norms from Pope Francis, Bishop Zubik confirms the continued existence of Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish without any alterations. There will be no changes to Masses at Most Precious Blood of Jesus Parish. Bishop David Zubik said, "With today's communication from the Holy Father, we remain committed to work for the unity of the Church as Pope Francis implores us to do in his latest teaching."
God love you,
