Archbishop Requests Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe and Adds to Earlier COVID-19 Mandates

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson has requested that we pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. The prayer can be found at the end of the following added directives from the Archbishop.

March 13 -- All Catholics within the Archdiocese of St. Louis are dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass for the next three weekends (March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29). As with the Lenten practice of abstinence, we remind the faithful to exercise good judgement and not “excuse themselves lightly” from their obligation.

Churches will remain open, and Mass schedules will remain mostly unchanged. It would be good to keep daily Masses available as they are generally not as crowded and parishioners can keep adequate distances apart. We will continue to monitor official health advisories and update these directives accordingly.

We urge everyone who is sick, elderly or vulnerable because of a medical condition to remain home. Please understand that Mass schedules and availability, as well as parish and diocesan events may change – especially if our clergy are affected by illness. You receive any updates or scheduling changes by the parish website and social media.

Catholics who attend Holy Mass are not required to receive Holy Communion more than once a year. No one is under any obligation to receive or to distribute Holy Communion. Catholics who choose to temporarily refrain from receiving Holy Communion may make an act of Spiritual Communion, uniting themselves worthily to our Lord’s true presence in the Most Holy Eucharist through prayer.

Act of Spiritual Communion:
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 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. Amen”

Please communicate to all parishioners: We strongly recommend that parishioners receive Holy Communion in the hand. Holy Communion distributed by extraordinary ministers will be administered in the hand only. However, as this is a celebration of God’s love for us and the most important part of the Mass, parishioners who still wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue should receive from the Mass celebrant or concelebrant only. Any of the faithful who decide to receive on the tongue should not be refused by the Mass celebrant or concelebrant.

Continue to suspend the physical exchange of the sign of peace. Use a hand gesture or bow instead. Consider suspending the sign of peace altogether during this time.

Parishioners can watch the Holy Mass on TV on EWTN or online at catholictv.org or Catholic Faith Network.

Weddings/Funeral/Baptisms: The Archdiocese of St. Louis recommends limiting attendance at these sacred events to immediate family members only, or rescheduling to a future date when possible.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: It is recommended that the Sacrament of Penance be celebrated using a screen (anonymously) to ensure the health department’s social distancing guidelines.

Parish retreats and other group parish activities: The Archdiocese of St. Louis recommends postponing retreats and other group activities/gathering until further notice.

Collections: Essential to the continued operation of our parishes and their missions, please encourage parishioners to use on-line giving, drop-off or mail their contributions.

God be with you as we navigate these difficult waters and look forward to the peace and stability offered to us in the Resurrection of Our Lord.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another
and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to
our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.