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Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone celebrates 11 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral on March 22, 2020. The cathedral was empty because of the coronavirus lockdown but thousands joined the livestreamed Mass on screen at home. (Photo by Dennis Callahan/Catholic San Francisco)March 22, 2020
Catholic San Francisco
The coronavirus pandemic is an opportunity for Catholics to renew the spiritual and sacramental life of the church and stand out as examples of the virtue of neighborliness, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said in a livestreamed Mass from St. Mary’s Cathedral March 22.
“With Christ all is brought out in the light and without his light there is no healing,” the archbishop said in his homily at 11 a.m. Sunday Mass, reflecting on the Scripture readings for the day. “Healing is of paramount importance right now … but spiritual healing is needed as well.”
The archbishop faced an empty cathedral, but thousands joined the webcast on screen at home.
The archbishop encouraged viewers to practice spiritual communion by participating in Mass from home, not merely watch it. He stressed dressing properly, sitting, kneeling and standing at the appropriate times and keeping food and drink out of sight.
The lockdown that has closed public Masses in the archdiocese and throughout the country is a chance to rediscover the power of communion in the church, the archbishop said – to renew our love and appreciate for worship and sacramental live of the church. He urged viewers to continue the spirit of worship at home but do so intentionally and with a strengthened sense of connection.
Second, the archbishop said the crisis, is the time more than any other, “to rediscover the communion of the family, an excellent opportunity for family members to pay attention to one another.”
“What a welcome opportunity to put way the digital devices and pay attention to one another, above all pray together, especially the family rosary.”
He said the crisis “is providential” in that it takes place during Lent and provides opportunities for renewal.
Third, the archbishop urged the faithful to rediscover “the virtue of neighborliness,” to show leadership by thinking of others first. “Perhaps God is letting us suffer this hardship in order to rediscover the love of community.”
As more Catholics around the world find themselves unable to receive the Eucharist due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis provided an example of a spiritual communion prayer that can be said from home.
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart ... I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You,” Pope Francis prayed March 21 in his televised daily Mass from his residence in Vatican City.
Catholic News Agency contributed.