By Matters India Reporter
Ranchi: The Catholic Archdiocese of Ranchi has urged its faithful to go for sober and modest celebration of Christmas in view of the difficulties posed by Covid-19 and lockdowns.
“This year has been a difficult year marked by challenges, difficulties and suffering. COVID 19 and the enforced lockdowns have brought untold misery and hardships for the common man. An economy in distress, growing joblessness and increasing poverty stare in our face as winter sets in,” says the Advent letter of the archdiocese signed by Archbishop Felix Toppo of Ranchi and Auxiliary Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas.
The November 21 letter urges priests, religious, seminarians and faithful reflect and introspect the current situation. “The Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in the manger is indeed a sign for this Christmas which will be celebrated under the shadow of Covid 19,” it adds.
The Church will begin the Advent season, the time to prepare for the birth of Jesus, on November 29 this year.
The Ranchi prelates point out that the Catholic faith is based on two foundational pillars, the love of God and love of our neighbor. They commended their people for becoming “angels of mercy to the poor, the hungry, the afflicted and the weary migrants returning home in miserable conditions” during the lockdown.
“Through your efforts, the Catholic Church in Ranchi was in the forefront of relief services bringing hope, consolation and comfort to thousands of people and their families,” says the letter, which is to be read in all parishes and religious houses in the archdiocese on November 22.
The prelates want their faithful to continue the same spirit of charity based on deep spirituality in their preparation for Christmas.
“The little babe of Bethlehem wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger because his parents could not find a room in the inn is the symbol of our Christmas celebration this year,” the bishops explains.
According to them, Baby Jesus “represents the poor who go to bed hungry because they have no food, the homeless that sleep on our streets because they do not have a roof, the unemployed who struggle to maintain their families because they have lost their jobs, those affected by Covid and other diseases and do not have money to pay for their medicines, parents who struggle to educate their children because they cannot provide them the necessary means.”
They proposed four ways to celebrate Christmas this year.
First, they want the faithful to frequent the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist during the season.” However, in view of the threat of infection from Covid, you are requested to strictly maintain the SOP stipulated by the government authorities.”
The letter says the archdiocese has sent guidelines to parishes and mission centers to provide as many services in the main churches as well as village chapels and centers “so that the faithful have an opportunity to actually be present for the Advent and Christmas Eucharistic Celebrations.” It allows priests to offer as many as three Masses daily, if required.
Since the coronavirus pandemic has prevented community celebrations, the archdiocese wants people to arrange sweets and small presents to families and children who cannot afford to celebrate Christmas.
The archdiocese also stressed Ecological Christmas. “In view of protection of environment, and as a measure against air and sound pollution, we strongly request you not to use firecrackers during this festive season. The money you would burn by bursting crackers can be given in donation for the poor.”
Another suggestion is for sobriety and modesty in the celebrations and expenditure. “We recommend that each family and Religious community make sacrifices especially during the season of Advent and contribute towards charity so that we can help those who were already living in poverty and those who have now been reduced to poverty because of Covid and the lockdowns.”