March 25, 2020
Bishop Jaime Soto


My Dear Friends in Christ:

It is heartbreaking to announce that my previous decree suspending public celebrations of the Sacrifice of the Mass and other public sacramental rites must continue into the sacred celebrations of Holy Week and Easter.

Holy Week and Easter will go on. The saving mystery of the Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus is our Springtime. His joy and hope are the Paschal Fire that dispels the darkness of sin and the threatening gloom of this pandemic. The saving work of Jesus is beyond the ability of anyone to suspend or alter it. What will change, however, is how we celebrate this holy time.

The global mortal danger posed by the coronavirus compels us this year to find a different way to participate in these rites, including the Chrism Mass and the Rites of Sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday.

The Congregation of Divine Worship of the Holy See has issued guidance to the bishops of those regions of the world afflicted by the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, on how to conduct the Holy Week rituals in private.

Parish priests are to celebrate the Triduum on the appointed days at the usual times for their parish; i.e. Mass of the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated in the evening of Holy Thursday; the Good Friday liturgy may celebrated at any time, preferably at midday; and the Easter Vigil is to be celebrated “after nightfall” (about 8:15 p.m.).

The Diocesan website and parishes will inform the Faithful of times of these liturgies so that all may participate in a spiritual manner, prayerfully uniting themselves to their priest from their homes. Where possible, the Faithful may also participate via livestreaming or other social media.

As God’s People, we will gather spiritually, even if we cannot gather physically. We will recount the Passion of Our Lord, His death and burial. And, we will welcome the risen Christ and celebrate the glory of the Resurrection.

As we come together with a deepened hunger for spiritual communion with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, this year’s celebration of Holy Week will bring the amazing grace of God’s divine mercy. Join me in bringing chastened, humble hearts to the sacred days of Christ’s death and Resurrection. He will call us each by name as he did for Mary Magdalene in the garden of the garden of the tomb. (Jn. 20.11-18) He will come to us, as he did for the disciples hiding behind doors closed by fear, mercifully extend his pierced hands to us and say, “Peace be with you.” (Jn. 20.19-20)

Respectfully,

+Jaime Soto
Bishop of Sacramento

Dear Brothers,
 
We continue to confront the uncertainty and pastoral challenges brought about by COVID-19, commonly known as the coronavirus, I am grateful for the understanding of all the Faithful in adhering to the prescriptions of government officials, intended to curtail the further spreading of the infection and protect the most vulnerable among us. I am grateful for all the work you, my brother priests and deacons, are all doing to ensure that the spiritual life of the Faithful are nourished in the midst of the pandemic and the cessation of public worship throughout the Diocese.
 
A crucial aspect of the spiritual life is the forgiveness of sin. The restrictions currently in place has brought forth an unprecedented challenge in the administration of the Sacrament of Penance. The Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a statement (19.03.2020) in order to provide some instructions on the administration of the sacrament that keeps everyone safe and healthy. The Diocese of Sacramento has already taken steps in adhering to these instructions.
 
As a reminder, priest and penitents must give prudent attention to administering individual confessions. Appropriate distance must be maintained by the priest, penitent, and those waiting to receive the sacrament. If warranted, the minister and/or the penitent may wear a mask. Confessions must be administered in a location where there is proper ventilation. If the confession is administered outside of a confessional, the minister must ensure that the sacramental seal is preserved. Precautions must be taken to limit the number of people congregating in a single location such as a church or chapel. When administering the sacrament at a hospital or similar facilities and if the minister is permitted entry, he must diligently follow the protocols that have been put in place.
 
In the event that a penitent finds themselves in unable to receive the sacramental absolution, particularly those who are quarantined, the penitent can offer a perfect contrition that comes from the love of God, expressed with a sincere desire for forgiveness, and accompanied by a votum confessionis, i.e. a firm resolution to approach the Sacrament of Penance in the ordinary way as soon as possible. The penitent receives the forgiveness of sins, even mortal ones. (CCC 1452) Pastors take every means possible to provide proper catechism on making the perfect contrition.
 
Elements to Perfect Contrition and a Firm Resolve to approach the Sacrament of Penance
•           Meditation on God’s Word (eg. Parable of the Prodigal Son, Lk. 15.11-32; Sermon on the Mount, (Mt. 5:13-6:34 or other suitable text)
•           Examination of Conscience in the light of God’s Word.
•           Sincere desire for forgiveness expressed in an Act of Contrition.
•           Resolve to approach the Sacrament of Penance, considering the time and place to do so.
•           When possible, make satisfaction for sins against one’s neighbor.
 
Lent is a time when many of the faithful are drawn to the Sacrament of Penance. There is a strong desire in all of us to approach the sacrament in order to receive healing and wholeness. The pandemic we face compounds the anxiety we may already feel within because of the separation caused by sin. We must not forget that the love of God encompasses all and we must place our trust in Him.
 
 
+Jaime Soto
Bishop of Sacramento
bishopsoto@scd.org
916-733-0203
 

All these livestreamed celebrations are accessible at the diocesan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DioceseSacramento/