RISK ALERT: CORONAVIRUS
Office of Risk Management
The Archdiocese of Boston, through the Office of Risk Management, is monitoring the situation related to the coronavirus outbreak and updating relevant planning guides should the situation warrant in the Commonwealth.
Liturgical Directives
These directives are effective Saturday, February 29, 2020 until determined otherwise by the Archbishop. The Office of Worship, in consultation with local health authorities and the Archdiocesan Office of Risk Management, continues to en-courage the clergy and faithful to observe necessary standard precautions to protect the health of others during this time. The best way to prevent the spread of contagious disease is to practice good hygiene.
In addition to practicing good hygiene, the Archbishop directs the following for the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and for flu prevention:
- The Holy Water fonts are to be drained and cleaned with a disinfecting soap on a regular basis. Please note that old Holy Water should be disposed of in the sacrarium.
- The distribution of the Precious Blood for the faithful is suspended, save for those who must receive from the cup due to severe cases of celiac disease. The faith of the Church teaches that Christ, whole and entire, is received even under only one species.
- The exchange of the sign of peace is to be offered without any physical contact. If the priest celebrant chooses to extend the invitation for the sign of peace, the faithful, instead of a handshake, may bow to the persons nearby.