Churches to mark deaths in pandemic with special services next Sunday

Ireland’s two main churches are planning major events for next Sunday, November 14th, to remember all who died on this island of Covid-19.

The Vatican has also extended the possibility of obtaining plenary indulgences in favour of the dead for the entire month of November. Normally that would end on Monday, November 8th.

Next Sunday at 3pm the Catholic Bishops will undertake a pilgrimage to Knock where they will concelebrate Mass for all those who have died in Ireland during the pandemic and for their families.

They will also also offer prayers of thanksgiving for all those who selflessly sacrificed so much during the pandemic, particularly healthcare workers.

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The Mass will be live-streamed on knockshrine.ie and broadcast on the RTÉ News Now digital television channel, as well as online.

At the same time next Sunday, a Service of Light, acknowledging the impact of the pandemic in loss and bereavement, will take place at the Church of Ireland Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin and will include Duruflé's Requiem sung by the cathedral choir.

During the service, names of those who have died since the start of the pandemic will be read, with the lighting of candles in their memory.

The service will also be a recognition of the severe impact coronavirus restrictions have had on the grieving process, including the usual funeral rites which have had to be greatly curtailed.

Rectors and clergy are being asked to send in the names of those who have died in their parishes since restrictions began to the Rev Abigail Sines (Dublin diocese) on her email address, abigail@christchurch.ie, by next Saturday, November 13th.

Representatives of families of all the deceased are invited to attend and to light a candle in memory of their loved ones.

Plenary indulgences

The Vatican has decided that the Catholic faithful can gain plenary indulgences for the souls in Purgatory by visiting a cemetery on any eight days in November – which need not be consecutive – and praying for those who have died. Normally, the indulgence is limited to the first eight days of the month.

It said the decision was intended “to meet the need to avoid gatherings, a potential cause of the spread of Covid-19, which still affects the world’s population to varying degrees”.

For people struggling to comes to terms with loss of loved ones the Dublin Bereavement Support Service provides free, professional and confidential support.