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PORTLAND –The Diocese of Portland is offering ways for the state’s Catholics to celebrate Holy Saturday and Eastery Sunday in fellowship with other Catholics.
Maine Catholics are invited to join in an act of solidarity with one another and all people of good will at 7:30 p.m. on Holy Saturday, April 11, the hour of the sunset, by standing outside their homes with a lit candle, flashlight or other source of light.
At that time, they are asked to offer a silent prayer and reflection for those in the world who have died from COVID-19, for the consolation of their families, and for the healing of our world and an end to the crisis.
The Diocese is also having all Catholic churches in Maine that have bells ring them at noon on Easter Sunday, April 12.
The ringing of the bells is to celebrate Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life as well as offer the community of faithful a shared experience after spending Holy Week apart because of the COVID-19 outbreak, church officials said in a news release.
The idea came from a woman in Hartford, who had grown tired of watching traditions being forced to take a year off. “It’s like the children’s cartoon with the Grinch. Even though he took one thing after another away, the townspeople still came together and had Christmas,” said Sybilla Pettengill. “Well, this year, COVID-19 is the Grinch, but we can still have the beauty and joy of Easter.”
Each church will decide the length of the bell ringing, and other denominations and churches are encouraged to join the initiative by ringing their bells as well.
For more information about Holy Week plans at Maine parishes, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/response-coronavirus.
