Bishop Pabillo urges faithful to hear mass, stay home during Undas

In the Archdiocese of Manila, the faithful are encouraged to observe All Saint's Day and All Souls' Day by going to church to hear mass instead of trooping to cemeteries to help curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

"On November 1 and 2, all are encouraged to go to Church and offer Mass for our beloved dead. The Holy Eucharist is the best prayer that we can offer. All of us, living and dead, are united in the offering of Jesus in the Holy Mass," said Archdiocese of Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo.

In a statement posted on the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) website, Pabillo also said that more masses will be added by parish churches in Manila to accommodate church goers and still observe physical distancing.

"Lighting of candles for the dead can also be done in areas provided by the parishes during the month of November," he said adding that "The lighting of candles is an external manifestation of our prayer."

"Instead of going to the cemeteries on November 1 and 2, we can also set aside time together as a family in our homes and pray for those who have gone ahead of us. It is a good and holy thought to pray for the dead. It would also be good if we can share with the family members our recollections about our beloved dead so that their memory can bind us closer to each other," said Pabillo.

The prelate also commended the move of the government to impose a ban on visiting cemeteries during Undas to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

"A few weeks ago, the mayors of Metro Manila came out with a resolution to close the public cemeteries from October 31 to November 3 this year to avoid large crowds congregating and thus spread the Corona 19 virus. I commend our local executives for their care to prevent any upsurge of the disease," he said.

"This was extended nation-wide by the IATF resolution 72 which came out on September 15. It states: “All public and private cemeteries, and memorial parks, including columbariums and the like throughout the country shall be closed to visitors from October 29 to November 4, 2020.” I enjoin everyone to cooperate," he added.

Pabillo also noted that in observing proper sanitation and hygiene and as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the remains of loved ones had to be cremated.

"I would like to remind everyone that it is not allowed for us to keep the urns containing the ashes in our homes permanently. There is great danger of desecration in the future, especially when we are no longer around to look after and care for these ashes. So the ashes should be laid to rest in columbaria in the cemeteries or in churches. In this way too, other people outside of our families who would like to visit and pray for them can freely do so any time." -- BAP, GMA News