MANILA (UCAN): The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reactivated the Undas (All Souls’ Day) website (http://undasonline.com/ph/ ) on October 13 as part of social distancing efforts to mark All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day online because of the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Millions of Filipinos normally troop to cemeteries on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 to 2 to remember departed loved ones.
The website is accepting prayer requests and Mass intentions as cemeteries in the Philippines have been closed due to coronavirus lockdowns.
“It is important to keep our Catholic tradition to pray and to celebrate Mass for our dearly departed,” the CBCP said in a statement.
Now on its ninth year, the platform was originally intended for Filipino seafarers and those in other countries who had no way of celebrating Undas.
“The (online) portal for the dead was one of the spiritual works of mercy of the Philippine bishops for overseas Filipino workers who wished priests to include their loved ones in their Masses. Because of distance and work, they could not be with their dearly departed, so at least they were assured that we prayed for them,” Monsignor Pedro Quitorio, CBCP media director, explained.
The bishops also said priests would celebrate requiem Masses online.
“There will be live Masses that will be streamed from different places (provinces)” Monsignor Quitorio, said.
He said churchgoers may participate from home by praying the novena or setting up an altar for the dead.
“They can even light a candle online or inside their home for their dearly departed. This year is really different because of the pandemic. The bishops cannot compromise public safety by allowing the public to gather in cemeteries,” Monsignor Quitorio added.
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
In October, government and Church authorities announced the cemetery ban running from October 31 to November 4 to curb Covid-19 infections.
This year the Undas website will also offer audio and video reflections from families who have lost family members due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Archdiocese of Manila is encouraging churchgoers to attend Masses instead of going to cemeteries.
Manila apostolic administrator, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, said that Catholics must remember the dead by attending Masses in their parishes.
“On November 1 and 2, all are encouraged to go to church and be at Mass for our beloved dead. The Holy Eucharist is the best prayer that we can offer,” Bishop Pabillo said in a statement.
“May the Lord bless the dead and the living during this difficult time.”
