From drive-through confessions, where a priest - seated a meter away - hears a parishioner confess his sins while inside his car, to receiving holy communion in front yards, the Catholic Church has found innovative ways to engage its flock in prayer and participate in church activities amid the worldwide spread of the novel corona virus (Covid-19) which necessitates everybody to practice physical distancing, among other things.
Filipinos, as well as most people of the world, will still be staying at home under enhanced community quarantine as we observe the Holy Week, starting Palm Sunday, April 5 until Easter Sunday, April 12. But everybody will be blessed, Pope Francis said. And Holy Week will be celebrated online, with masses to be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube by various dioceses across the country.
At the Vatican City, the Pope celebrates daily masses at 2pm at Vatican News English on YouTube.
Following is the schedule of masses in various Philippine churches:
Manila Cathedral
Time: Sunday - 8am,10am, 6pm; Monday to Friday - 7:30am, 12:10pm; Saturday - 7:30am
Where: Manila Cathedral's Facebook page
Quiapo Church
Time: Daily - 5am, 6am, 12:15pm, 3pm, 4pm
Where: Quiapo Church's Facebook page
Diocese of Kalookan
Time: Sunday - 6:30am, 7:45am, 9am, 10:15am, 3pm, 4:15pm, 5:30pm, 6:45pm, 8pm; Monday to Friday - 6am, 12nn, 6pm
Where: Diocese of Kalookan's Facebook page
Diocese of Cubao
Time: Sunday - 8am, 11am, 6pm; Monday to Saturday - 8am
Where: Diocese of Cubao's Facebook page
Diocese of Pasig
Time: Sunday - 6am, 7:30am, 9am, 4pm, 6pm; Monday to Saturday - 6am, 8am, 12nn, 6pm
Where: Pasig Cathedral's Facebook page
Philippine Jesuits
Time: Daily - 8am, 1pm
Where: Radyo Katipunan Facebook page and Radyo Katipunan YouTube channel
Radio Veritas
Time: Daily - 6am, 12nn, 6pm
Where: Radio Veritas' Facebook page
Sambuhay TV Mass
Time: Saturday (anticipated mass) - 5pm; Monday to Friday - 6:15am
Where: Sambuhay's Facebook page
Online masses led by Singapore Archbishop William Goh
Time: Sunday - 10am; Monday to Saturday - 1pm
Where: Archdiocese of Singapore's YouTube channel
PLDT's free speedboost for Fibr subscribers will provide a unique holy week experience in the time of COVID-19. Staying at home as we pray with people online can be our most meaningful contribution in stopping the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.
