The resumption of Catholic liturgical and sacramental life in a way that meets both the spiritual needs of Catholics while protecting physical health during this pandemic.

Yes. As we move through different phases of the pandemic, the CDC and public health authorities will make different recommendations, and we plan to update the documents to reflect such changes.

According to the CDC, there is no evidence of COVID-19 transmission associated with food.

• Ministers of Holy Communion are recommended to sanitize their hands before distribution of hosts.

• Ministers of Holy Communion are recommended to sanitize their hands if they sense they have touched a communicant.

We looked very carefully at this issue. The vast majority of Catholics in the U.S. receive communion in the hand. For those who desire to receive on the tongue out of reverence for Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, we recommend that there be a separate line or that they receive at the end of the line, and that the minister purify his hands with hand sanitizer after each person who receives on the tongue. The guidelines conclude that, with these precautions, this can be done without unreasonable risk.

We recommend that members of the congregation wear masks or cloth face coverings during indoor Masses (except for when receiving Holy Communion) to decrease the spread of airborne droplets and the subsequent risk of transmission. Wearing face coverings is a risk-reduction measure that permits as many people as possible to attend Mass in person. This helps guard against transmitting the virus to the elderly and immunocompromised members of the congregation and to those who assist in their care. The priest and other ministers do not need to wear masks during the liturgy (except for during the distribution of Holy Communion), given their sacred roles and given that they will be a sufficient distance from the congregation for most of the Mass.

The priest and other ministers do not need to wear masks during the liturgy (except for during the distribution of Holy Communion), given their sacred roles and given that they will be a sufficient distance from the congregation for most of the Mass. Priests may individually choose to wear a mask for any duration of the Mass.

All print materials should be removed, and there should be no distribution of print materials including the bulletin. Upon exiting, parishioners and guests should take all their belongings with them. Nothing in the pews should be left behind.