Friday, March 29, AD 2024 7:01am

PopeWatch: A Sign

A symbol for a faithless age:

 

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has closed for the first time in over a century following new restrictions in France to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“For the first time in its history, the sanctuary will close its doors for a while. Pray with us the novena to the Immaculate,” Mgr. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, rector of the Lourdes sanctuary announced March 17.

No public Masses will be offered in the sanctuary due to national measures announced by French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron on the evening of March 16.

France is the third European country to enact a mandatory national quarantine in response to the growing number of cases of COVID-19. Italy and Spain have both imposed nationwide lockdowns, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have also announced bans on all religious services in their countries.

The French government restrictions include limiting citizens’ movement outside of their homes for the next 15 days to grocery shopping and essential movement, as well as the closure of all schools, restaurants, cafes, and most businesses.

Go here to read the rest.  May God forgive us.

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OrdinaryCatholic
OrdinaryCatholic
Wednesday, March 18, AD 2020 8:02am

We have just been informed in our NH diocese all public Masses have been canceled til further notice. I was hoping we’d escape that up here cowhampshire but apparently not. The Bishop has ordered all priest to continue to say Mass privately for all intentions that have been requested. As I’ve said, I’ve got this hole in my gut right now that tells me we are making a huge mistake in canceling Mass yet at the same time I wonder if this has been placed before us at this time of Lent in order to increase our penance and suffering in preparation of Easter.

Mary De Voe
Wednesday, March 18, AD 2020 9:21am

This will define the Catholic Church in the Church’s most refined form. People who do not respect the Mass will not have the Mass to abuse. People who love the Mass will make the spiritual communion.

Clay
Clay
Wednesday, March 18, AD 2020 6:34pm

I could go to an SSPX church (only guys open) but I have a pregnant wife with diabetes; and my mom gets chemo.

I don’t know if I should go.

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