DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Archdiocese of Detroit announced Tuesday that public Masses in metro Detroit will resume starting May 19. This comes after churches stopped services due to the coronavirus pandemic in early March.
The May 19 date is at the pastors' discretion, while all churches will resume public Masses by May 29.
"I write today to share some measure of hope during this difficult time of pandemic and social distancing," reads a letter from The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron Archbishop of Detroit. "In recent weeks, we have watched with relief as our State of Michigan gradually opened to select businesses and activities, with prudent precautions firmly in place to prevent a severe “second wave” of the coronavirus pandemic. In keeping with this gradual reopening of our society, it is necessary that we make similar arrangements within our local Church to allow once again for the communal celebration of Holy Mass, which at its core is the most “essential” activity known to our world.
The Masses will resume with updated liturgical guidelines, the Archbishop said. These guidelines have been developed by the COVID-19 Liturgical Committee and include required face-coverings or masks, cleaning and sanitizing the church before and after Masses and social distancing.
Read more of the guidelines here.
