I have been deeply moved by the painful desire that so many have expressed to receive the Lord, and how much everyone misses being able to come to Mass.
We believe that God is able to bring good out of any situation; the good that I hope will come to all of us from this undesired fast from the sacraments is a deeper love for the sacramental life of the Church, when we are able to return to normal. I think it’s important to remember, that although we do not have access to the presence of the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, he is also present to us (albeit in a different way) through the Scriptures. This is the perfect time to rekindle a love for reading Holy Scripture, so we can be inspired by God’s Word, and remember that he does not abandon us, not for a moment.
— Father Paul Buchanan, Our Lady of Grace Church, Greensboro
In the United States, we are definitely spoiled in our access to priests, Mass, and the sacraments. There are so many people in the world who see a priest, and receive the sacraments, only occasionally. This situation - this need to cancel public Masses and many sacraments - provides us the opportunity to realize how much our heart longs to be with God, through His Church. While my parishioners are hurting by not having the ability to be intimately joined with our Lord in Holy Communion, and I miss the faithful at my private Masses, this is an opportunity for our Faith to grow in our longings for God, and growing in our realization of how the sacraments should be cherished, and never taken for granted, or casually received.
It is important, for clergy and the faithful, to remember that everything God gives us is good, so let us cooperate with His Grace during this challenging time, a time that takes us out of our routine, but gives us the opportunity to grow closer to Him in prayer, fasting, and giving to others.
— Father Christian Cook, Immaculate Conception Church, Hendersonville
Having to close the churches is sad, but it’s important to remember that God is not quarantined. He continues to be present to all those who need Him. We priests continue to offer Mass every day for the spiritual good of the whole Church. Every celebration of the Mass always brings great graces and spiritual goods to the members of the Church, no matter how many or few people are able to be present.
I have been moved by the response to our making the Mass available for viewing online. This is an opportunity for everyone to unite themselves spiritually to the celebration of Mass and to receive graces from it.
God is offering us strong spiritual medicine this Lent. We have a chance to unite ourselves to the sufferings of Catholics throughout the world who are unable to receive the sacraments on a regular basis due to persecution, lack of priests, or living in remote areas.
— Father Peter Ascik, St. Matthew Church, Charlotte
During this time, while not alleviating the problem, it’s helpful to remember that involuntary abstinence from Our Lord in Communion is a reality for many of our brothers and sisters around the world who, due to persecution, illness, shortage of priests, etc., are unable. May this brief time of forced abstinence, strengthen our longing and hunger for Him in the Blessed Sacrament, renewing our fervor and desire for the Eternal Wedding Feast. Striving for sainthood never stops. Pray, hope, be holy, and don’t worry.
— Father Paul McNulty, St. John the Evangelist Church, Waynesville
We all, clergy and lay faithful, can recall what the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1257 states: “... God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but He himself is not bound by His sacraments.” We all need to make greater acts of faith fully aware that God is the one with the power to give us His grace whenever He wishes, however He wishes, wherever He wishes! Is it difficult for the faithful not to be able to more fully live out their Eucharistic life without receiving Jesus or coming into His presence in prayer before the numerous tabernacles of this world? Yes, it’s super tough for us priests too - not to be able to provide an experience with the Bread of Life for the faithful. Yet we have to put our faith into action - like the centurion whose faith brought about the healing of his servant (Matthew 8:8-10) or the woman with the hemorrhage who received healing through her act of faith (Mark 5:25-34). My recommendation in these times is to live a vibrant Eucharistic life genuflecting in our hearts before Jesus who identifies Himself with our neighbor whether close family member, friend, or stranger (Matthew 25:40)... feeding ourselves on the Living Word of God (Sacred Scripture) in a way that we taste and see the goodness of the Lord... and, finally, may we tap anew into the long-standing tradition in our Church of making spiritual communions as have done countless men and women (boys and girls) - who are saints now and proceeded us in their pilgrim journey to heaven.
— Father Richard Sutter, St. Gabriel Church, Charlotte
It’s precisely because it’s so hard that this may become one of the most fruitful fasts and Lents of our time. We embrace the discipline of Lent and the sacrifice of a fast to help us grow in self-control or some virtue. Perhaps, this Lent will help us grow in our spirit of profound gratitude for what we cannot now celebrate. But how?
Well, there is an expression that familiarity breeds dullness. When something, even a very good and extraordinary something, is around us all the time or available to us when we want, we naturally start to take it for granted. This can happen even with the Blessed Sacrament, since we are familiar with having multiple options to attend Mass. This will not be the case for a while. But rather than complain, let’s adopt a perspective that appreciates the privilege that has been ours. With a renewed and a heightened sense of gratitude for the amazing action of God among us, it may be possible that this fast could lead to even greater dedication and devotion of our celebrations of Eucharist.
— Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio, St. Pius X Church, Greensboro
I believe we have all been presented with an incredible opportunity to reevaluate that which we hold most dear (or perhaps, come to appreciate that which some of us have historically not held dear at all). It may or may not have been the very hand of God which put a deadly virus in the body of “patient zero” and allowed it to spread. But the hand of God can touch and affect anything in this world as long as we let it. It can touch and transform you! Just ask the man blind from birth!
— Father Christopher Bond, St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Maggie Valley
We are living in strange times. Not unprecedented, but strange. There have been many periods throughout the Church’s history when public Masses and other sacraments have had to be ministered covertly, and even in locked churches or secret gatherings. Even today in many places throughout the world, many of our brothers and sisters risk life and limb to practice the Faith of our Fathers. Our struggle today is not against the powers of an anti-religious government, but rather against a virus. A virus that is rapidly spreading around the world and infecting individuals, often without their even knowing it.
While we face these challenges, we may be tempted to see them as burdens or difficulties, but I would suggest rather to see them as opportunities. For example, with students out of school for the time being, and many parents forced in one way or another to also be at home, it might be an opportune time to reconnect with each other in ways that busy schedules don’t allow.
Let us take this opportunity to rediscover the power of our faith and witness to that power in a world that in many ways has lost hope. And let us do so in love. The love that impels us to follow Christ.
— Father Christopher Roux, St. Patrick Cathedral, Charlotte