Outdoor Mass COVID-19 Protocols
Archdiocese of Agana News Release - May 7, 2020
Archbishop Michael Byrnes on May 7, 2020, approved updates to the Archdiocese of Agana’s Sacramental Protocols, affirming the Church’s highly anticipated resumption of some of its sacraments, including celebration of live Masses at parking lots this weekend and where possible, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, and Baptism.
Please take note of the following points to remember:
Mass obligation is dispensed
- All Catholics are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation at this time.
- However, for those who wish to attend Mass during this time, the archdiocese reminds everyone that should you have flu-like symptoms or compromised immune systems, you must remain home.
Remain in your vehicles
- The faithful should remain in their vehicles while Mass is celebrated by the priest using a public address system and in some cases, with Mass livestreaming on the Internet.
Receive the Holy Eucharist from your vehicles
- Massgoers will receive the Holy Eucharist from their cars.
- During Communion, Massgoers will be instructed to exit their vehicles and receive the Eucharist standing by their cars.
- In a few cases, Communion will be given to attendees as they sit in their cars.
- However, at all times, the Communion host should be treated with the utmost sacredness for the Body of Christ and must not be passed from Massgoer to Massgoer.
Distribution of Communion
- In most cases, the priest and Eucharistic ministers will either approach Massgoers at their cars or Massgoers will be instructed to drive to specific stations during Communion.
- Distribution of Communion will take place after Mass.