The pandemic spiritual survival plan: British bishops offer guidance for the COVID crisis

Catholics in the UK are once again in varying degrees of isolation. In most regions, the availability of the sacraments is interrupted. As a result, many Catholics are developing faith strategies in addition to the parochial ways that previously supported them.

So how can British Catholics keep their faith alive in these times? The Registry asked three British bishops to offer the bishops a "Spiritual Survival Plan" in response to the current crisis.

“I like the title 'Spiritual Survival Plan',” Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury said. “If only we realized how necessary such a plan is throughout our life! If the strangely restricted conditions of these days lead us to appreciate how we must use the time of our life and exploit all its phases and circumstances, then we will have benefited from at least one, great benefit from the pandemic “. He went on to quote a saint of the twentieth century, Josemaría Escrivá, who “reflected how there could be no striving for holiness without a plan, a daily plan. […] The practice of making the morning offering at the beginning of each day is a great start. The difficult conditions of isolation, illness, dismissal or even unemployment, in which not a few live, can serve not only as "wasted time,

Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth echoed these sentiments, adding: “It is certainly an opportunity of grace for every Catholic and every family to adopt their own 'rule of life'. Why not take a cue from the timetables of religious communities, with times for morning, evening and night prayers? "

Bishop John Keenan of Paisley also sees this pandemic period as a great opportunity to use the resources at hand rather than complain about what is currently not possible. "In the Church we have found that the sadness of the closing of our churches has been offset by the availability of putting online all over the world," he said, noting that some priests who were used to having "only a handful of people coming to their devotions in church or speeches in the parish hall they found dozens to come and join them online ”. In this, he feels that Catholics "have taken a generational step forward in our use of technology to bring us together and spread the Good News." Moreover, he feels that, in doing so, “at least a part of the New Evangelization, new in methods, ardor and expression, has been reached”.

Regarding the current digital phenomenon, Archbishop Keenan accepts that, for some, there may be “a certain reluctance to embrace this new development. They say it's virtual and not real, which in the long run will prove to be an enemy of true communion in person, with everyone choosing to watch [Holy Mass] online rather than come to church. I appeal fundamentally to all Catholics to embrace this new providence of online connection and broadcasting with both hands [as churches in Scotland are currently closed by order of the Scottish government]. When God created the metallic silicon [necessary to make computers, etc.], He put this ability into it and hid it until now, when he saw that it was the right time for it to help release the power of the Gospel as well.

Agreeing with Bishop Keenan's remarks, Bishop Egan pointed out many spiritual resources available online that would not have been accessible about a decade earlier: "The Internet is full of resources, although we must be discerning," he said. “I find I-Breviary or Universalis useful. These give you the Divine Offices for the day and also the texts for the Mass. You could also take out a subscription to one of the liturgical guides, such as the excellent monthly Magnificat “.

So what specific spiritual practices would bishops propose to mainly home laity at this time? "Spiritual reading is perhaps more within our grasp than for any generation before us," Bishop Davies suggested. “With a click of an iPhone or iPad we can have before us all the Scriptures, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the lives and writings of the saints. It might be useful to consult a priest or a spiritual director to guide us in finding the spiritual reading that could help us best ".

While Bishop Keenan reminded the faithful of an obvious and trusted spiritual practice that does not require church building or an Internet connection: “The daily Rosary is a formidable prayer. I have always been struck by the words of St. Louis Marie de Montford: 'No one who recites his Rosary every day will be misled. This is a declaration that I would gladly sign with my blood '”.

And, given the current circumstances, what would bishops say to Catholics too fearful to attend Holy Mass where it is still available?

"As bishops we are more determined than anyone else to ensure the safety of our people, and personally I would be surprised if anyone caught or passed on the virus in church," Bishop Keenan said. He suggested that the benefits of participation outweigh the risks. “Most governments have now recognized the personal and social damage of closed churches. Going to church is not only good for our spiritual health, but it can be such a benefit to our mental health and our sense of well-being. There is no greater joy than leaving Mass full of the Lord's grace and the security of his love and care. So I would suggest trying it once. If at any point you are afraid, you can turn around and go home, but you may find that it is great and you are so happy that you have started going there again.

While preceding his remarks with a similar note of caution, Bishop Egan said: “If you can go to the supermarket, why can't you go to mass? Going to mass in a Catholic church, with the various security protocols in place, is much safer. Just as your body needs food, so does your soul. "

Mons. Davies sees the time away from the sacraments and, in particular, from the Eucharist, as a time of preparation for a possible return of the faithful to Holy Mass and a deepening of "faith and Eucharistic love". He said: “The mystery of faith that we could always risk taking for granted can be rediscovered, with that Eucharistic wonder and amazement. The very privation of not being able to take part in Mass or receive Holy Communion can be a moment to grow in our desire to be in the Eucharistic presence of the Lord Jesus; sharing the Eucharistic sacrifice; and the hunger to receive Christ as the bread of life, perhaps as Holy Saturday prepares us for Easter Sunday “.

In particular, many priests are suffering in hidden ways right now. Cut off from their parishioners, their friends and extended families, what would bishops say to their priests?

“I think, with all the faithful, the specific word must be 'thank you!'” Bishop Davies said. “We have seen during the days of this crisis how our priests have never lacked the generosity to face every challenge. I am particularly aware of the demands for COVID safety and protection, which have weighed on the shoulders of the clergy; and all that has been required in the ministry of the sick, the isolated, the dying and the bereaved during this pandemic. In the Catholic priesthood we have not seen lack of generosity during the days of this crisis. To those priests who have had to isolate themselves and spend much of this time deprived of their active ministry, I would also like to say a word of thanks for having remained close to the Lord by offering Holy Mass every day; pray to the Divine Office; and in their silent and often hidden prayer for all of us “.

In this current situation, in particular with regard to priests, Bishop Keenan sees a positive unexpected emergence. “The pandemic has allowed [priests to have] greater control over their lives and lifestyles, and many have used it as a good opportunity to put in place a daily plan of work and prayer, study and recreation, work and sleep. It is good to have such a plan of life and I hope we can continue to think about how our priests can enjoy more stable lifestyles, even if they are available to their people. " He also noted that the current crisis has been a good reminder that the priesthood is “a presbytery, a fraternity of clergy working as companions in the Lord's vineyard. So we're our brother's keeper, and a little phone call to our priest brother just to pass the time of the day and see how he's doing can make the world a difference. ”

For all, the many volunteers, both priests and lay people, who have helped to keep the life of the parish going, Mgr. Egan is grateful, saying that they have done a "fantastic job". Furthermore, for all Catholics, he sees the need for a continuous "telephone ministry" to the lonely, the sick and the isolated ". Very much in line with an outreach ministry, the Bishop of Portsmouth sees the pandemic as “a time [which] offers the Church an opportunity for evangelization. Throughout history, the Church has always responded valiantly to plagues, epidemics and calamities, being at the forefront, caring for the sick and the dying. As Catholics, aware of this, we should not respond to the COVID crisis with a timid timidity, but in the power of the Holy Spirit; do our best to give leadership; pray and care for the sick; witness the truth and love of Christ; and to campaign for a fairer world after COVID. Looking to the future, the dioceses will have to enter a period of review and reflection to plan with much more vigor how to face the challenges of and the future “.

In some ways, during the pandemic, there seems to have been a new formation of bonds between people, priests and bishops. For example, the simple testimony of the laity left a profound memory for Bishop Davies. “I will long remember the commitment of the teams of lay volunteers who have allowed the reopening of the churches and the celebration of mass and sacraments. I will also remember the great secular witness of the essential place of public worship in their many emails and letters to Members of Parliament, which I believe have had a profound impact in England. I am always happy as a bishop to say, with Saint Paul, 'the testimony of Christ has been strong among you' ".

In conclusion, Bishop Keenan wishes to remind members that they are not alone today or in the future, whatever that entails. He exhorts Catholics in this moment of widespread anxiety about their future: "Do not be afraid!" reminding them: “Remember, our Heavenly Father counts all the hairs on our heads. He knows what it is and does nothing in vain. He knows what we need before we even ask and reassures us that we don't need to worry. The Lord always precedes us. He is our Good Shepherd, who knows how to guide us through dark valleys, green pastures and calm waters. It will take us through these times together as a family, and this means that our lives, our Church and our world will be all the better for this moment of pause for reflection and new conversion ”.