Two important publications guide God's people regarding the measures to be taken at this time when the country is suffering from the Coronavirus pandemic.

The first letter, from Dom Walmor, calls on the faithful to cultivate hope, based on faith. “May the grace of God sustain us and grant us strength to overcome…”
"This cycle of suffering, apprehension, and pain calls upon us to support and care for the poorest."”

The second message, signed by the Archbishop and his auxiliary bishops, contains guidelines for faith communities. See below:

Letter from Bishop Walmor

“"Beloved Brothers and Sisters, the enormous existential and humanitarian challenge of this moment, in world and Brazilian society, requires much effort, commitment, work and solidarity from all of us, anchored in an unwavering trust in God, as the apostle Paul said: 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me' Philippians 4:13.".
The flame of our hope will not be extinguished because we trust in God. May God's grace sustain us and grant us strength to overcome this cycle of suffering, apprehension, and pain, as we are called to support and care for the poorest. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, learning new lessons; may our discipleship, in following the Master and Lord, enrich the sustenance in building a new era.
Let us trust in the Lord, He is just and so kind. Let us work and collaborate, imploring God to deliver us from this pandemic, and may our commitment be to building peace and promoting justice, bearing witness to the Kingdom of God. Let us walk together in brotherhood and confidence, serving in all things and to all people.”

GUIDELINES FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES

“"In this Lenten season, called to conversion, moved by the relevant motivations of the CF-2020, 'Fraternity and Life: Gift and Commitment', we are all summoned to concrete, effective, and disciplined actions in favor of the life of all, especially the poor and vulnerable, contributing to and fighting for the overcoming of this terrible coronavirus pandemic, exercising ourselves, as Church and society, in the fight against so many other pandemics.".

It is determined:

1. Regarding Pastoral Activities

1.1. Suspend, unless otherwise determined, until April 12th, in
all pastoral bodies of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, the vicariates,
episcopal regions, deaneries, parishes, sanctuaries, meetings, gatherings,
assemblies, seminars, courses, catechesis and events that bring people together
People. If necessary, reschedule already planned activities.
1.2. To look after and care attentively for the elderly and most vulnerable people in our communities, supporting the poorest with necessary material assistance, through a strong network of solidarity in each parish.
1.3. Increase efforts to maintain cleanliness in communal areas and ensure that everyone has access to a sink with soap for handwashing, and if necessary, provide hand sanitizer dispensers.
1.4. Follow, without restrictions, the guidelines and directives of the Ministry of
Health and the relevant authorities.
1.5. To welcome and provide for the homeless population, especially in available spaces within the parishes, while safeguarding protective measures, and to address their needs, offering support with food, water, hygiene kits, use of toilets and showers, a change of clothes, and assistance if they wish to return to their family or city of origin.
1.6. Using technological tools to help maintain parish life,
contacts, missionary animation, spiritual assistance, network maintenance
contributions and support, tithe payers and donors, through the use of broadcasts via
Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and others.

2. On the Celebration of the Sacraments

2.1. Suspend all in-person Mass and Word of God celebrations until further notice, in accordance with the guidance of health authorities, with the sole objective of not exposing people to danger, protecting them, and saving lives. However, churches should remain open, with due precautions.
2.2. To offer the celebration of Masses abundantly, through the means of
communication, daily, on days and times communicated and informed by
various means for broad participation, strengthening our communion, which is
force majeure.
2.3. To offer, likewise, celebrations of the Word of God and moments of
Christian spirituality, widely disseminated.
2.4. Postpone the baptism celebrations until August onwards.
2.5. Conduct catechesis to prepare parents and godparents for baptism during this period, using the following media, according to the schedule: every Saturday from April to July, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, on TV Horizonte, Radio América, and the Internet.
2.6. Make efforts to encourage couples who have already scheduled their wedding up to the month of July to postpone and reschedule for a date starting in August.
2.7. Adjust the number of people invited to weddings that cannot be postponed, through a personal conversation with the parish priests.
with the bride and groom, so that people are spaced out inside
of the church. In other words, to determine how many people can participate in the marriage ceremony.
2.8. Reschedule the confirmations, through an agreement between parish priests, bishops and episcopal vicars, in dialogue with catechists, for the month of August onwards.
2.9. Broadcast a confirmation catechesis program every Saturday from April to
July, from 5 PM to 6 PM, on TV Horizonte, Rádio América and the Internet, intended
To those being confirmed and their catechists.
2.10. Suspend, until further notice, the provision of communion to the elderly and infirm who receive the Eucharist at home, in order to guarantee their safety.
This rule also applies to the celebration of the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.
of the Sick.
2.11. Likewise, until further notice, the celebration of funeral rites is suspended, both in homes and at wakes and cemeteries.
2.12. Offer the Sacrament of Penance at varying times, listening to
Penitents will be heard individually. Group confessions are suspended.
2.13. Encourage Family Prayer and Domestic Liturgy, the Church of the Home,
with scripts for celebrations such as meditation on the Word of God, the
The Rosary and the Stations of the Cross are available on the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte's website.,
so that God may deliver us from this and many other evils that threaten us.
life.

3. About Holy Week and the Easter Triduum

3.1. Celebrate in person – unless otherwise determined – only the Easter Triduum, which is the heart and center of the Church's life, provided that few people are involved, well distanced from each other in the church, approximately one and a half meters apart, which also applies to the
The arrangement of people in the sanctuary and in the choir area.
3.2. Suspend the external acts of Holy Week, such as processions, sermons, dramatizations of the Passion, and Stations of the Cross. Numerous and intensive opportunities for reflection will be offered through the media.
3.3. Celebrate the Archdiocesan Unity Mass under the conditions required and determined for the context, with transmission via TV Horizonte, Radio América and the Internet, at the Christ the King Cathedral, with the presence only of the members of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, who represent the entire Archdiocese, and the ordained ministers, deacons, priests and bishops. In this celebration, the holy oils will be given by the archbishop to the auxiliary bishops and episcopal vicars, who in turn will deliver them to the parish priests, so that they may be used in the communities.
3.4. Celebrate the Mass of the Lord's Supper, only once per parish, always with
A small number of people. The foot washing ritual should not be performed.
3.4.1. Tonight, those who do not attend Mass can make a beautiful
celebration at home, taking advantage of the day's readings, performing the blessing of
The table and the family meal, or accompanying a moment of spirituality.
Eucharistic celebrations will be broadcast via the media. Itineraries and directions will be available on the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte's website.
3.5. Celebrate the Passion of the Lord, one per parish, and eliminate the rite of
I kiss the Cross and the images displayed for the veneration of the faithful.
3.5.1. On this day, those who do not attend the celebration at the church may celebrate at
At home, at 3 PM, the Word of God, with the day's Bible readings, using the
The Gospel of the Passion, abridged, and they may also perform the adoration of the cross and
The Universal Prayer or accompanying the moment of spirituality through the means
Communication guidelines, itineraries, and directions will be available on the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte's website.
3.6. To celebrate the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, in the same restricted manner, one in each Parish, but in a meticulous way, as a sign of the light of faith in the risen Christ, lit throughout our Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, illuminating all of society.
3.6.1. Tonight, those who are unable to participate in person,
Due to restrictions on gatherings of people, they will be able to celebrate with their families.,
in their own home, where they will light and bless the already well-known "candle".
of the family”, that small, thicker candle, then the meditation of some
Few biblical readings are planned, as well as the blessing and sprinkling of water.
In remembrance of the baptism, in addition to prayers, there was a fraternal meal.
with family, or follow the celebration through the media.
Itineraries and directions will be available on the Archdiocese's website.
Belo Horizonte.
3.7. Celebrate Easter Sunday with a Mass in each parish, with the
same requirements as described above.
3.7.1. And on this very special Sunday, those who cannot participate in church,
They can, as a family, in their own home, celebrate the Word of God with the day's biblical readings, prayers, and a small Easter gathering, or follow the Easter Mass through the media. The script will be available on the Archdiocese's website.
3.8. Ensure that every household receives a broadcast schedule.
special and the celebrations still during Lent and Holy Week, by
services of the Cathedral Network of Catholic Communication, through TV
Horizon, Radio America and the Internet.
3.9. Broadcast parish celebrations through PASCOM.,
using the media and social networks like Facebook,
YouTube, Instagram, and other possibilities.

4. Final guidelines

4.1. Pay close attention to and fully respect the guidelines of the competent health authorities and constantly monitor the situation.
4.2. Do not share fake news. Lies, in addition to hindering the fight against the disease, generate panic, worsening the situation. In this sense, it is appropriate to check each piece of information received by researching reliable sources.
4.3. To convince and work towards getting people to understand and adopt the stance of not leaving their homes, paying special attention to convincing the elderly and infirm.
4.4. Nurture great hope and overcome feelings of failure and defeat, certain and confident in the guidance that God the Father, in Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, provides in our lives and in the history of our salvation.
4.5. To practice solidarity and nurture the communion from which strength comes.
The greatest thing that will make us victorious and joyful, taking care not to intoxicate ourselves with...
information, causing panic or fears that weaken our participation.
in a battle that we will win, in God and through His love.
4.6. The institutions of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, namely, the Diocese
Archdiocesan; the Minas Gerais Cultural Society, which maintains the Pontifical
Catholic University of Minas Gerais – PUC Minas, from Santa College
Maria Minas – CSM Minas and the Cathedral Network of Catholic Communication; PROVIDENS with its social works; the Mariana Resende Costa Foundation –
FUMARC and the Association for Integral Development – ADI are
working under a special arrangement, under the guidance of the Corporate Board of Directors of
Human Resources and related departments, ensuring the well-being of all.
collaborators, according to applicable norms and systems in this reality that
We live in the present moment.
4.7. Information services will be made available to parish communities,
support, advice and guidance so that the evangelizing path, in
In times of "exile" and austerities, let us continue our missionary journey.
fruitful way.
5. Let us pray together, invoking the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of Jesus.
Christ, so that the coronavirus pandemic and other evils may be overcome:

“"We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our pleas in our needs,
but always deliver us from all dangers,
"O glorious and blessed Virgin."”

Signed by:
Dom Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo – Metropolitan Archbishop
Dom Joaquim Giovani Mol Guimarães – Auxiliary Bishop
Dom Geovane Luis da Silva – Auxiliary Bishop
Dom Vicente de Paula Ferreira – Auxiliary Bishop

Source: arquidiocesebh.org.br