Guidance for Sacramentals in February
The following sacramentals are part of the liturgical calendar this February:
• Blessing of candles on Candlemas Day (2 February)
• Blessing of throats on St Blaise’s Day (3 February)
In keeping with both Church and State regulations regarding Covid-19, the following apply:
1. At this stage, it is reasonable to assume that the restrictions on public gatherings will continue into February. The following guidance is based on this assumption.
2. There is no obligation on the faithful to attend these sacramentals.
3. However, if you decide to make some provision for these sacramentals, it must be done at an individual basis. There can be no public gathering or liturgy at a fixed time, either within a building or in an open space.
4. Depending on the specific layout of each church and grounds, priests may be in a position to make themselves available on church grounds, on a given day for the faithful to approach them individually for the sacramental.
Candlemas Day
A large table may be made available in the church where the faithful can leave their candles prior to Candlemas Day, clearly marked and separate from other candles. A priest can bless the candles collectively and the faithful can return in their own time to collect their candles over the following days.
Alternatively, the priest may make himself available for a certain length of time throughout the day on the church grounds for the faithful to approach him on an individual basis to have their candles blessed. This individual blessing must take place according to social distancing norms.
Blessing of throats on St Blaise’s Day
The blessing of throats may take place in the following manner.
The priest may make himself available on the church grounds for a certain length of time throughout the day so that the faithful may approach him individually for the blessing. The blessing must take place according to social distancing norms. Crossed candles may be used for the blessing, but no physical contact is to take place between the faithful and the candles. The priest must wear a face mask or bless the faithful while standing behind a Perspex barrier.
