Religious activities are cancelled for Holy Week to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On March 23, the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Communications shared the pastoral instruction on facebook saying “we will not have any religious activity outside of our churches such as senakulo, pabasa, processions, motorcades, and visita iglesia.”

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno posted the same sentiment in an earlier facebook post. He said “hindi po natin kaya pa ang sumugal sa isa na namang pagkakataon na maaaring maglagay sa kapahamakan sa bawat Batang Maynila.”

Although physical activities are cancelled, you can still participate virtually. The Holy Week timeline of activities according to the Pastoral Instruction are:

• On Holy Wednesday (March 31), mass for the Consecration of Holy Chrism and the Blessing of the Oil of the Sick will be at 7:30AM. It will take place in Manila Cathedral which will be attended by a few priests.

• Another activity for Holy Wednesday is the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the first Mass in Limasawa. It will be conducted online at 10:00AM through the social media platform of the Diocese of Maasin.

• On Holy Thursday (April 1), the Archdiocesan Way of the Cross will be at 8:00AM. Coverage will be through TV Maria, Radio Veritas, and the official facebook page of the Archdiocese of Manila.

• For Good Friday (April 2) parishes are permitted to organize their own online Way of the Cross and reflections on the Seven Last Words of Jesus.

• On Holy Saturday (April 3), the Tenebrae will be at 8:00AM. A set of prayers to commemorate the death of Jesus will be aired on TV Maria and Radio Veritas.

• On Easter Sunday (April 4), the opening of the Holy Door at Manila Cathedral will be at 10:00AM. It will be broadcast online. The 500th anniversary of Christianity will be celebrated as well.

Moreover, the Archdiocese of Manila encourages people to join virtual masses regularly either through their Facebook page or your parish’s respective platforms.