Home » News » Masks and emotion of the faithful on their return to masses in Bom Jesus de Braga

Masks and emotion of the faithful on their return to masses in Bom Jesus de Braga

Report by Vítor Fernando Pereira, from Agência Lusa

Not even the obligatory masks on the face hid the air of relief, happiness and, above all, emotion of the six people who today attended, at the Basilica of Bom Jesus, in Braga, the first mass of the rest of their lives.

“This fills my soul, it is a sensation that I cannot explain, there are no words, I do not know,” said José Luís Tinoco, 80, the first to arrive to attend Mass, scheduled for 8 am.

Aware that, because of his age, he is part of the so-called risk group, the octogenarian guaranteed to take all care and follow all the recommendations of the health authorities, so much so that until now, and since the covid-19 pandemic arrived, the son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren have not yet entered their home.

But at the mass at Bom Jesus, at “his mass” at Bom Jesus, José Luís Tinoco could not miss it.

“I missed it so much, but so much,” he said, with visible emotion.

In that Basilica of Braga, a World Heritage Site, there were no masses in person since March 14th, and the rector has since celebrated only with the company of a cameraman, who ensured the transmission via the internet.

“It was a very big void, an abysmal silence, but at the same time, the echo we heard was deafening”, confessed João Paulo Alves.

However, the priest believes that the reopening of church doors is even more important for the faithful who find their “strength and strength for the journey” there and seek “grace to overcome the pandemic”.

“If I had to use just one word, that word would be relief,” he said.

Masses are adapted to the new reality: there is no holy water at the entrance, but there is a disinfectant gel dispenser for hands.

The capacity, which in normal times is 177 people, is now reduced to just over 60.

Everyone, including a priest, must wear a mask, each bank can only accommodate one or two people, there is a door to enter and another to leave, there are signs asking for the safety distance to be respected, there are “receptionists” who direct and guide who enters.

The choir, which until now gathered about 15 people, can only count on two or, at most, three.

Whoever communes cannot say “amen”.

Living up to the proverb “if Mohammed doesn’t go to the mountain, Mohammed goes to the mountain”, it is the priest who goes to each person to give them communion. Always at hand.

There is no greeting for peace, but even so, the faithful feel embraced by God, and that already fills their souls.

“If a change always costs, it always costs more when it is imposed and when fear is added. It is a new beginning, a step to return to normality. And a relief, ”said José Leite, 60, another from Braga who never misses the“ eight o’clock mass ”on Saturdays, in Bom Jesus, to alternate his morning walk.

The rector of the basilica does not hide his longing for the “pre-covid-19” and the excitement that was experienced in that place of worship.

“Under normal conditions, today we would have three weddings, eight baptisms and a pilgrimage with more than 150 people. Everything was canceled. But everything will be fine, ”he says.

Portugal has been in a calamity situation since May 3 because of the pandemic, but the Government has meanwhile approved successive measures of deflation, and as of today the return of community religious ceremonies is authorized.

“I don’t want to know that you have to wear a mask, that you have to disinfect your hands, that you have to be alone on a bench. This is where I feel good, here I never feel alone ”, released José Luís Tinoco.

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